Obesity is reaching epidemic proportions in the pediatric and adolescent populations. The prevalence of adolescent obesity has tripled over the last 3 decades, and the consequences of pediatric and adolescent obesity are becoming clearer. Aside from the fact that obese adolescents have a substantial risk of becoming obese adults, they also have an increased risk of co-morbidities commonly associated with adult-onset obesity including hypertension, hyperlipidemia and glucose intolerance. Additionally, obese children and adolescents experience significant psychosocial consequences. There is little evidence that dietary or pharmacologic treatments will effectively reverse morbid obesity in adolescence. Because of this epidemic, adolescents are increasingly seeking bariatric surgery as a realistic and effective treatment for their morbid obesity.

Pediatric anesthesia covers a wide range of patient size & age. It can be divided into anesthesia for premature neonates, full term neonates, young infants, children and adolescents.

The premature and term neonates presents the greatest differences in anatomy and physiology from adults. Children also have different psychological needs. The following is a very brief account on the essential aspects of Pediatric anesthesia.