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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Rectal pH in children

Peter K. WittonJan-peter A. H. JantzenA. KleinIrene Tzanova

subject

MaleAgingAdolescentRectumNormal valuesDrug formulationsPharmacokineticsReference ValuesHumansMedicineChildInfant Nutritional Physiological PhenomenaPaediatric patientsSex Characteristicsbusiness.industryRectumInfantGeneral MedicineHydrogen-Ion ConcentrationBioavailabilityAnesthesiology and Pain MedicineRectal routemedicine.anatomical_structureChild PreschoolRectal administrationAnesthesiaFemaleChild Nutritional Physiological Phenomenabusiness

description

In an attempt to establish normal values for rectal pH in children, we have measured pH in 100 paediatric patients. Measurement of rectal pH was performed in 25 infants and 75 children (27 girls and 73 boys) using a monocrystalline antimony electrode. Rectal pH was 9.6 +/- 0.9 (mean +/- SD, range 7.2 to 12.1) and was independent of sex, age and nutrition. This wide range of rectal pH values offers a possible explanation for the widely scattered bioavailability of drugs administered by the rectal route. Mean rectal pH was considerably higher than that reported for adults; this unexpected alkalinity should be taken into account, when drug formulations are considered for rectal administration in children.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
1989-11-01Canadian Journal of Anaesthesia
https://doi.org/10.1007/bf03005418