Plasma glucose response to recreational diving in novice teenage divers with insulin-requiring diabetes mellitus

A growing number of individuals with insulin-requiring diabetes mellitus (IRDM) dive, but data on plasma glucose (PG) response to diving are limited, particularly for adolescents. We report on seven 16-17 year old novice divers with IRDM participating in a tropical diving camp who had recent at least moderate PG control (HbA1c 7.3 +/- 1.1%) (mean +/- SD). PG was measured at 60, 30 and 10 min pre-dive and immediately following 42 dives. Maximum depth (17 +/- 6 msw) and total underwater times (44 +/- 14 min) were not extreme. Pre-dive PG exceeded 16.7 mmol x L(-1) (300 mg x dL(-1)) in 22% of dives. Males had significantly higher pre-dive levels (15.4 +/- 5.6 mmol x L(-1) [277 +/- 100 mg x dL(-1)] vs. 12.8 +/- 2.9 mmol x L(-1) [230 +/- 52 mg x dL(-1)], respectively) and greater pre-post-dive changes (-4.3 +/- 4.4 mmol x L(-1) [-78 +/- 79 mg x dL(-1)] vs. -0.5 +/- 4.3 mmol x L(-1) [-9 +/- 77 mg x dL(-1)], respectively). Post-dive PG was < 4.4 mmol x L(-1) [< 80 mg x dL(-1)] in two dives by two different males (3.4 and 3.9 mmol x L(-1) [61 and 70 mg x dL(-1)]). No symptoms or complications of hypoglycemia were reported. These data show that in a closely monitored situation, and with benign diving conditions, some diabetic adolescents with good control and no secondary complications may be able to dive safely. The impact of purposeful elevation of PG to protect against hypoglycemia during diving remains to be determined.

Oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate as an anaesthetic premedication when dosed to an opioid effect vs total opioid consumption

Thirty min prior to anaesthetic induction for surgery, children aged 4-12 years old were given a 10 micrograms.kg-1 oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (OTFC) and were instructed to suck the OTFC until pruritus appeared (Group 2) or until the entire dose was consumed (Group 1). Sedation, apprehension and cooperation scores were rated, and vital signs including oxygen saturation were monitored until anaesthetic induction. The results showed that pruritus was present in 76% of children; however; in all but one child, it occurred after the OTFC had been completely consumed. There were no significant changes in oxygen saturation, but respiratory rate decreased from 19.6 +/- 1.7 to 18.4 +/- 1.3. Activity decreased significantly; however, cooperation and apprehension did not change. The conclusion was that pruritus cannot be used as an endpoint for OTFC effectiveness; however, OTFC dosed at 10 micrograms.kg-1 is effective in providing sedation without causing clinically significant changes in vital signs or oxygen saturation.

Anaesthesia and intra-ocular pressure in young children. A study of three different techniques of anaesthesia

This study compares the effects of three anaesthetic techniques on intra-ocular pressure (IOP) in infants and children: spontaneous ventilation using nitrous oxide with halothane (group 1) or isoflurane (group 2) and controlled ventilation with atracurium (group 3). The IOP remained constant in groups 1 and 2 until the administration of suxamethonium when it rose significantly; this rise was maintained during tracheal intubation. In group 3 IOP increased on administering atracurium and a further increase was seen during tracheal intubation. Diagnostic intra-ocular pressure measurements should be made during spontaneous breathing prior to tracheal intubation. The IOP was not directly affected by arterial blood pressure or by expired CO2 tension.