Pediatric anesthesia & critical care
Impact of Obesity, Respiratory Symptoms, and Posture on Perioperative Respiratory Adverse Events and Lung Function in Children
Authors' conclusion
Obesity increased susceptibility to minor PRAE and elevated peripheral airway resistance, whereas respiratory symptoms impaired tissue mechanics. Postural change exerted a dominant influence on lung function. Anesthesia-induced bronchodilatation was blunted in obese children and those with respiratory symptoms
Study context
- Population
- Children (6–16 years) undergoing elective surgery under GA
- Participants
- 110 children
- Exposure
- Overweight/obese vs normal-weight children; with vs without respiratory symptoms; sitting vs supine posture
- Overweight/obesen = 55
- Normal-weightn = 55reference
- Outcome
- Minor PRAE
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Respiratory mechanics (forced oscillation technique (FOT))
- Obesity associated with increased peripheral airway resistance, most evident supine and anaesthetised
- Respiratory symptoms primarily affected tissue mechanics; additive impairments with overweight/obesity plus respiratory symptoms
MBW outcomes (FRC, lung clearance index)
- Minimal group differences; supine positioning consistently reduced FRC and increased lung clearance index
Effect of anaesthesia induction on lung mechanics
- Reduced resistance and improved elasticity, attenuated in obese children and those with respiratory symptoms
Safety
- Severe perioperative respiratory adverse events (PRAEs): laryngospasm, 5/110
- 4.5% (95% CI, 1.5%-10.4%)
- No bronchospasm
Original publication
Impact of Obesity, Respiratory Symptoms, and Posture on Perioperative Respiratory Adverse Events and Lung Function in Children. Anesth Analg. Published 19 February 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →