THE ANAESTHETIC MANAGEMENT OF THE OBESE CHILDREN Alisher Agzamov, A.M. Al Qattan, Asmahan Al Mulla, A. Y. Dubikaitis Department of Anaesthesiology & ICU, Al Sabah Hospital, Kuwait City, Kuwait More than 42 million children under 5 years of age are overweight across the world. In Asia, in Middle East and in the Gulf region, the number of overweight children and adolescents has doubled in the last two to three decades, and similar doubling rates are being observed worldwide, including in developing countries and regions where an increase in Westernization of behavioral and dietary lifestyles is evident. The definition of childhood obesity has not been standardized in the past, making studies difficult to compare. In spite of this, the increase in the incidence of childhood obesity is evident and has now reached epidemic proportions. Obese children experience few of the medical complications seen in obese adults. 1. Respiratory System is most affected, the degree of which is determined by the level of obesity. 2. A considerable amount of information on the anaesthetic management of the obese adult, but a very little has been written concerning the obese child. 3. There is less pathology in the obese child when compared with the adult but some evidence shows a higher likelihood of a critical incident occurring when anaesthetizing such children. 4. We need to be as worried about anaesthetizing the obese child as we are for the obese adult. This concern should increase with increasing body mass index. Anaesthesia consideration must be given to family behavior patterns, diet after weaning, and the use of new methods of information dissemination to help reduce the impact of childhood obesity worldwide.

THE ANAESTHETIC MANAGEMENT OF THE OBESE CHILDREN

Alisher Agzamov, A.M. Al Qattan, Asmahan Al Mulla, A. Y. Dubikaitis

Department of Anaesthesiology & ICU, Al Sabah Hospital, Kuwait City, Kuwait

More than 42 million children under 5 years of age are overweight across the world.

In Asia, in Middle East and in the Gulf region, the number of overweight children and adolescents has doubled in the last two to three decades, and similar doubling rates are being observed worldwide, including in developing countries and regions where an increase in Westernization of behavioral and dietary lifestyles is evident.

The definition of childhood obesity has not been standardized in the past, making studies difficult to compare. In spite of this, the increase in the incidence of childhood obesity is evident and has now reached epidemic proportions.

Obese children experience few of the medical complications seen in obese adults.

1. Respiratory System is most affected, the degree of which is determined by the level of obesity.

2. A considerable amount of information on the anaesthetic management of the obese adult, but a very little has been written concerning the obese child.

3. There is less pathology in the obese child when compared with the adult but some evidence shows a higher likelihood of a critical incident occurring when anaesthetizing such children.

4. We need to be as worried about anaesthetizing the obese child as we are for the obese adult.

This concern should increase with increasing body mass index. Anaesthesia consideration must be given to family behavior patterns, diet after weaning, and the use of new methods of information dissemination to help reduce the impact of childhood obesity worldwide.