An Update on the Perioperative Management of Children with Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

Purpose Of Review: This review summarizes the current evidence for the management of children with recent upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). Furthermore, the review includes management guidelines for children with URTIs.

Recent Findings: Good history and clinical examination is sufficient in most children presenting with URTI. Testing for immune markers or preoperative nitric oxide measurement does not add any additional value. Preoperative bronchodilator administration, intravenous induction with propofol, and noninvasive airway management all reduce the occurrence of respiratory adverse events.

Summary: Most children can be safely anaesthetized even in the presence of an URTIs if the perioperative anaesthesia management is optimized. In this review article, we have included a management algorithm for children with URTI presenting for elective surgery.