Risk factors for postoperative nausea and vomiting in children

The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne (RCH), 2021 Gan, 2020

Postoperative vomiting occurs frequently in children. The risk factors for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in children are similar to those for adults (see Risk factors for postoperative nausea and vomiting in adults); however, the following risk factors differ:

• age—children younger than 3 years are at low risk of PONV
• gender—incidence of PONV is the same in girls and boys until puberty, then risk is greater in females
• type of surgery—procedures associated with a higher risk of PONV in children are strabismus repair, orchidopexy, tonsillectomy, correction of prominent ears and middle ear surgery.