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NPO Guidelines

NPO (period without food) guidelines refer to your child's food and fluid intake the night prior to and the morning of his/her surgery.

Ages 12 and over:

  • Nothing by mouth (including gum and candy) after midnight

Ages 1 to 11 years:

  • Nothing by mouth after midnight
  • May have clear liquids up to 3 hours before procedure
    • Clear liquids are liquids through which print can be read: e.g., apple juice, water, Pedia-lyte, plain popsicles, and clear jello. DO NOT give tomato juice, orange juice with pulp, or milk as these are NOT clear liquids.

Infants under 1 year:

  • May have formula up to 6 hours before procedure
  • May have breast milk up to 4 hours before procedure
  • May have clear liquids up to 3 hours before procedure
    • Clear liquids are liquids through which print can be read: e.g., apple juice, water, Pedia-lyte, plain popsicles, and clear jello. DO NOT give tomato juice, orange juice with pulp, or milk as these are NOT clear liquids.

All ages:

  • Morning medications may be taken with sips of water
  • Gastrosomy tube (G-tube) feedings: follow above guidelines
  • Jejunostomy tube (J-tube) feedings DO NOT need to be held if tolerating
  • No gum or hard candy after midnight

If your surgery is scheduled after 1:00 pm, you may be given special instructions for the day prior to surgery. Follow the instructions you are given.

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