Abstract
An understanding of physiology is most important for anesthesia for neonates. Although neonates quickly adapt to extrauterine life at birth, it takes from hours to weeks until they stabilize and mature. If surgery is necessary soon after birth, the proper time to do it should be determined considering the infant's stability against the urgency of the illness. At preanesthetic visits, complications during pregnancy and labor must be evaluated. Examination of the heart by echocardiogram is essential. Anesthetic equipment and monitoring are similar to those in adults. A non-rebreathing circuit is preferred in a low-birth-weight infant. Capnography is useful but less reliable in the case of leakage from an endotracheal tube. The endotracheal tube should be fixed carefully to avoid displacement and kinking. Care must be taken to maintain body temperature using equipment such as a forced-air warmer. The plan for anesthesia should be devised corresponding to the pathophysiology of the disease and via discussion with the surgeons. Postoperative analgesia is essential even in neonates.
