CHANGES IN OXYGEN SATURATION DURING INHALATION INDUCTION OF ANAESTHESIA IN CHILDREN

Changes in oxygen saturation ( S a O 2 ) were studied during induction of anaesthesia in 48 healthy children receiving halothane or isoflurane for outpatient dental extractions. Substantial reductions in S a O 2 occurred in more than 50% of the children given isoflurane and were associated with the irritant effects of this agent on the airway. S a O 2 was largely unaltered during the use of halothane. These findings indicate that the airway complications caused by isoflurane may be associated with decreases in S a O 2 .