Ayuno preoperatorio pediátrico: Actualización de evidencia y controversias entre seguridad y bienestar

Preoperative fasting in children aims to prevent pulmonary aspiration during anesthesia. However, current evidence challenges traditional guidelines, especially regarding the intake of clear liquids. This article presents a systematic review of the literature, analyzing recent international guidelines that propose reducing fasting to one hour for clear liquids in healthy children, in order to avoid discomfort, hypoglycemia, and physiological alterations resulting from prolonged fasting, without increasing the risk of aspiration. Barriers to the implementation of these recommendations are discussed, and the risks of prolonged fasting are analyzed, as well as the evidence supporting more flexible protocols in the pediatric setting. The findings suggest that implementing flexible fasting protocols in pediatrics is safe and can improve patient well-being, although careful evaluation and local adaptation are required.