Plasma cholinesterase activity and the duration of suxamethonium apnoea in children.

Plasma cholinesterase activity and the duration of suxamethonium apnoea were studied in 89 children and in 15 adults for comparison. Whereas the level of cholinesterase activity was not different in the two groups, children showed a significantly shorter duration of apnoea. There was poor correlation between the enzyme activity and duration of apnoea. The shorter duration of action of suxamethonium may be due to the larger volume of extracellular fluid in children.