Significance of preoperative hemoglobin as a screening test in children underwent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) In general anaesthesia

Document Type

Article

Department

Anaesthesia

Abstract

Background:

The use of magnetic resonance imaging is growing exponentially. In most of the pediatric patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging, general anaesthesia is required. Routine preoperative screening tests consume patient’s time, discomfort and financial resources. In our institute we have a large number of children undergoing MRI scanning requiring general anaesthesia. They are assessed in preoperative clinic and as per our guidelines hemoglobin is done in each patient. In this survey we wanted to observe the impact of preoperative hemoglobin level done in planning and conduct of general anaesthsia.

Method:

After approval from departmental research committee, all pediatric patients of 1 to 14 years of age who had MRI under general anaesthesia were included. Children less than 1 year of age and procedures done without GA or sedation were excluded. The medical records numbers of all these patients were obtained from MRI section of radiology department and their files were retrieved from medical record room.

Results:

A total of 174 pediatric patients had MRI under general anaesthesia were included in this survey. Average hemoglobin of the patients was 11.28±1.51 mg/dl .Low hemoglobin was observed in few patients, but it was not significant. There was no evidence that the decision to cancel or postpone the case by anaesthetist or any other perioperative management had occurred as a result of preoperative low Hb.

Conclusion:

On the basis of this study, we can recommend that children who do not have any clinical features of anemia can safely undergo MRI in general anaesthesia.

Publication (Name of Journal)

The Internet Journal of Anesthesiology

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