Preoperative plasma glucose level.

The plasma glucose level of 25 infants and children who had routine preparation for anaesthesia and operation has been measured immediately after induction of anaesthesia. The mean plasma glucose level was 66 mg/100 ml. 5 patients had plasma glucose of 40 mg/100 ml or less. In a similar group in respect of age and weight a milk feed was given 4 hours before operation. The mean plasma glucose in the 20 patients in this group was 82 mg/100 ml and no patient had a plasma glucose of less than 60 mg/100 ml. No problems were encountered by giving the milk feed 4 hours before operation.