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Fasting guidance for children with Congenital Heart Disease

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Objectives

To standardise fasting instructions for all children with congenital heart disease, requiring a general anaesthetic within Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) Glasgow.

To maintain hydration status of children with congenital heart disease during the fasting period.

This guideline supplements RHC's standard pre-operative fasting guideline and can be used in conjunction with PICU fasting guidance.

Scope

This guideline applies to all paediatric cardiac patients with a pre procedure fasting requirement

Audience

This guideline is intended for all healthcare professionals involved in the care of paediatric cardiac patients with a pre procedure fasting requirement.

Children with congenital heart disease may be cyanotic, this causes an increase in erythropoietin thereby raising haematocrit, haemoglobin and blood viscosity.

Hyperviscosity is associated with stroke especially in young children in the presence of dehydration and so all children with cyanosis should have fasting kept to a minimum.

Background

Children with congenital heart disease may be cyanotic, this causes an increase in erythropoietin thereby raising haematocrit, haemoglobin and blood viscosity.

Hyperviscosity is associated with stroke especially in young children in the presence of dehydration and so all children with cyanosis should have fasting kept to a minimum.

Evidence

This policy was drawn up from best available evidence including consultation with local cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, anaesthetists, nursing staff, local practice and existing guidelines.

Additional Notes

Intravenous fluid calculation:

100% fluid requirement =

  • 100mls/kg/day for 1st 10kgs of weight
  • 50mls/kg/day for 2nd 10kgs of weight
  • 20mls/kg/day for weight over 20kg

Be aware that over a 24-hour period, males rarely need more than 2500 ml and females rarely need more than 2000 ml.

Audit and Review

This guideline will be reviewed every 2 years with reference to clinical governance including review of associated guidelines, clinical incidents and audit.

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 03 March 2022

Next review: 31 March 2025

Author(s): Alison Buller

Version: 1

Approved By: Paediatric Cardiology Department