title: Increased hepatic microsomal activity after halothane anaesthesia in children.
abstract: The effect of anaesthesia and surgery on microsomal enzyme activity was studied in 19 children aged 4-9 years, scheduled for tonsillectomy. The children were randomly allocated to either halothane or ketamine anaesthesia. Antipyrine clearance was measured before and 4 days after surgery by a salivary one-sample technique. Statistically significant (p less than 0.001) increases in antipyrine clearance was found in children who received halothane anaesthesia. The antipyrine clearance was increased by a mean of 26% 4 days after surgery, compared with a pre-operative control measurement. No significant change in antipyrine clearance was observed in children who received ketamine anaesthesia. There was also a significant difference in antipyrine clearance changes after surgery between the two groups (p less than 0.05). Halothane has enzyme-inducing properties after a single exposure in children, while a single dose of ketamine does not.
mesh_terms: D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous; D000983:Antipyrine / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006221:Halothane / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007649:Ketamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D014068:Tonsillectomy
chemical_list: D007649:Ketamine; D000983:Antipyrine; D006221:Halothane