Aspiration in pediatric anesthesia: is there a higher incidence compared with adults?

Abstract

Recent data in both adults and children have suggested that the incidence and severity of the pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents has declined. Previous studies have indicated that aspiration is more common in children than in adults. This review will examine the available data to compare the incidence and severity of aspiration in adults and children. There are several studies, some of which have been published recently, that have provided an epidemiologic perspective on the problem of aspiration. Based on the available data, aspiration appears to be slightly more common in children than in adults. The difference, however, is less than that previously reported. Morbidity associated with aspiration is rare in all age groups. This is especially true for children.