Preoperative Evaluation of the Pediatric Patient.

The article reviews frequently encountered preoperative concerns with a goal of minimizing complications during administration of pediatric anesthesia. It is written with general anesthesiologists in mind and provides a helpful overview of concerns for pediatric patient preparation for routine and nonemergent procedures or interventions. It covers unique topics for the pediatric population, including gestational age, respiratory and cardiovascular concerns, fasting guidelines, and management of preoperative anxiety, as well as the current hot topic of the potential neurotoxic effects of anesthetics on the developing brain.