EFFECTS OF RANITIDINE AND METOCLOPRAMIDE ON GASTRIC FLUID PH AND VOLUME IN CHILDREN

To determine the effects of ranitidine and metoclopramide on gastric fluid in children, 40 healthy children (aged 2-8 yr) were allocated randomly to groups of 10 to receive one of four oral premedications 4 h before surgery: no premedication, metoclopramide 0.1 mg kg-1 ranitidine 2 mg kg-1 and metoclopramide 0.1 mg kg-1 with ranitidine 2mg kg-1. After tracheal intubation, gastric fluid was aspirated and analysed for pH and total fluid volume. Ranitidine, with or without metoclopramide, increased gastric fluid pH significantly compared with control (P < 0.05). Gastric fluid volume did not change significantly. © 1990 Copyright: 1990 British Journal of Anaesthesia.