Aspiration pneumonitis - Paed

in children incidence 0.6 - 12 in 10,000
majority of aspiration incidents NOT lead to patient harm
- aspiration of solid materials → asphyxia / death
- aspiration of clear fluid, regardless of acidity, will NOT
real threat in children is hypoxia rather than aspiration
Risk factors
- emergency surgery
- high ASA status
- gastrointestinal comorbid conditions
- laryngospasm
- NPO violation
- Difficult airway
- gastroesophageal reflux
- obesity
- ↑ IAP
  also see Paediatric preoperative fasting

Gastric fluid content

'critical gastric volume'
- 0.4 → 0.8 → 1.25 → 1.5ml/kg
  - laboratory study → NGT suctioning → Gastric ultrasound

Aspiration also depends on other things