REFERENCE VALUES OF GASTRIC INTRAMUCOSAL PH IN CHILDREN

To determine the reference values of gastric intramucosal pH (pHi) by tonometry in paediatric patients, we studied 17 children (nine males, eight females) with no systemic or gastrointestinal disease, aged six months to 12 years undergoing minor reconstructive surgery. Following anaesthetic induction a sigmoid tonometry catheter was inserted (Tonom etrics, Inc.) into the stomach of the patients under direct vision. Al l children were normoventilated and were haemodynamically stable. Afte r an equilibration period of 30 min, gastric pHi was calculated by app lying the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation on the Pco(2) obtained with t he tonometer and the bicarbonate from the arterial blood gas analysis. The mean gastric pHi in our patients was 7.35 +/- 0.06 (so). The norm al pHi in the general population is estimated to be 7.31-7.40, with a confidence interval of 99%. No correlation was found between pHi and a rterial pH, bicarbonate or base excess. Under conditions of normal ven tilation and haemodynamic stability, healthy children during general a naesthesia have gastric intramucosal values similar to those of adults .