Special Considerations in the Perioperative Preparation of the Obese Child: An Evidence-Based Review

Recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have identified 17% of American children between the ages of 2 and 19 years as obese. There are numerous consequences related to obesity in children and adolescents. Providers are faced with treating a variety of comorbidities never before present in the pediatric population. Providers should address the special needs of the obese child having routine surgery. During the perioperative course, the obese child requires close assessment and monitoring for complications such as airway compromise, pressure ulcers, wound complications, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, prediabetic risks, and complete metabolic syndrome. Healthcare personnel need to be on the alert to anticipate the special needs of this high-risk pediatric population.