Age-Based and Weight-Based Bupivacaine Dosing for Pediatric Spinal Anesthesia for Elective Infra-Umbilical Surgeries

Launched by CAIRO UNIVERSITY · Jan 25, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how to give a local anesthetic called bupivacaine to children undergoing certain surgeries below the belly button, specifically to see if using a child's age instead of their weight for dosing is more effective. The researchers believe that age-based dosing may lead to better anesthesia while reducing the risk of side effects since children's bodies process medications differently as they grow. This is important because the traditional method of dosing based on weight might not always be the best approach, especially considering how children's bodies change as they age.

To participate in this trial, children between 1 and 6 years old who are scheduled for elective surgeries lasting up to 90 minutes may be eligible, as long as they are generally healthy (classified as ASA I or II). Some children may not qualify, including those with serious heart or neuromuscular issues, certain spinal conditions, or allergies to bupivacaine. If eligible, participants can expect to receive spinal anesthesia as part of their surgery, and their response to the medication will be monitored closely. This study is still in the planning stages and has not started recruiting participants yet.

Gender

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Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • ASA I and II
• • Both genders
• • Elective infra-umbilical surgeries with anticipated duration ≤ 90 minutes.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Guardian refusal.
• • Children with major congenital heart disease, including septal defects.
• • Patients with neuromuscular disorders or high intracranial pressure.
• • Children with spinal deformities or morbid obesity (BMI above the 99th percentile).
• • Children with a history or family history of coagulation disorders.
• • Children with local infection at the site of skin puncture for spinal anesthesia.
• • Children with known allergy to bupivacaine.
• • Surgeries requiring head down (Trendelenburg) or prone position.
• • Unexpected prolongation of surgery \> 90 minutes.