Metabolic Effects of Anesthesia in Man. III. Acid-Base Balance in Infants and Children During Anesthesia

Abstract

During ether anesthesia infants under 1 yr., unlike adults, regularly developed a moderate metabolic acidosis. A metabolic acidosis was observed in about 50% of patients 1-12 yrs. of age. This metabolic acidosis was regularly accompanied by a rise in serum lactate sufficient to account for more than half of the calculated change. There was no respiratory acidosis during ether anesthesia. During cyclopropane anesthesia in infants and children there was often, as in adults, a slight to moderate respiratory acidosis, but no metabolic acidosis. Serum K regularly fell during ether anesthesia and usually rose slightly during cyclopropane anesthesia. The changes in bicarbonate, lactic acid, blood sugar, and serum K during ether anesthesia were qualitatively and quantitatively similar to changes observed during the admn. of epinephrine in physiological quantities. It is believed that these changes are produced by epinephrine released in response to a reflex stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system during ether anesthesia.