title: The effect of intraoperative administration of dexamethasone for PONV prophylaxis on perioperative blood glucose level in obese and normal weight children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) can be reduced by dexamethasone. Single-dose administration may cause elevated blood glucose levels in obese adults. No data are available for children.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to evaluate perioperative blood glucose changes related to body weight in children who received dexamethasone.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective observational study included 62 children. All patients received total intravenous anesthesia and a single dose of dexamethasone (0.15 mg/kg, maximum 8 mg). Blood glucose levels were measured up to 6 h. Standard deviation scores (SDS) were calculated using age- and gender-specific body mass index (BMI) percentiles, p<0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 62 children (11.5±2.9 years, median SDS 0.43, 29% overweight/obese) were included. Blood glucose levels increased from 5.52±0.52 to 6.74±0.84 mmol/L 6 h after dexamethasone without correlation to the BMI-SDS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed an increase of perioperative blood glucose (normoglycemic ranges) after single dose of dexamethasone, but no BMI-dependent effect was observed in children. Therefore, low-dose dexamethasone may be used in obese children for PONV prophylaxis.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gnatzy
authors.forename: Gunther
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hempel
authors.forename: Udo X
authors.initials: UX
authors.lastname: Kaisers
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Höhne
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood*; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D003907:Dexamethasone