Study of Ultrasound and Acetaminophen Tests to Measure Stomach Emptying in Children Ages 2 to 18 Undergoing Surgery

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the consistency and accuracy of gastric volume and emptying measurements using gastric ultrasound in children undergoing general anesthesia for elective surgery. The study aims to determine how well different operators agree on ultrasound measurements and how these measurements compare to a gold-standard test called the acetaminophen absorption test. Two groups of children are studied based on age and anesthesia method to explore these questions across different age ranges and clinical procedures. The study involves two groups Cohort 1 includes children aged 7 years and older who receive an intravenous induction of anesthesia. These children will have abdominal ultrasounds as well as the acetaminophen absorption test, which involves giving an oral dose of acetaminophen with water and drawing blood samples to measure acetaminophen levels. Cohort 2 includes children younger than 7 years who do not routinely have an intravenous line placed. These children will have ultrasound assessments only. Both cohorts undergo ultrasound scans performed by expert and novice operators to assess measurement reliability. Participants will be involved in ultrasound assessments of the stomach before and during anesthesia. Cohort 1 will have multiple ultrasound scans aligned with blood sample collections at specific times after acetaminophen administration to study gastric emptying. Researchers will evaluate how consistent measurements are between different operators and within the same operator over time. They will also compare ultrasound results to acetaminophen absorption results as the main measure of gastric emptying. Safety and outcomes after anesthesia will also be monitored. Participation duration varies depending on the cohort and procedures performed.

Gastric Assessment of Pediatric Patients Undergoing Surgery