Securing pediatric anesthesia: a systems-based approach in perioperative medicine

Pediatric anesthesia cannot be considered a mere extension of adult anesthesia. The physiological, pharmacological, and developmental specificities of children expose them to an increased risk of critical events, as illustrated by the European APRICOT study (5.2% incidence of severe events). This reality calls for heightened safety requirements.
Professional practice guidelines in pediatric anesthesia reflect a major shift: safety no longer relies solely on individual technical expertise, but on the organization of the healthcare system as a whole. Structured care pathways, graded levels of care, appropriate equipment, dedicated teams, and a high level of expertise now constitute the key pillars of safe practice.
The implementation of these changes relies on a collective dynamic, in which scientific societies, particularly the SFAR, play a key role in supporting, disseminating, and structuring practices.
At a time when regional disparities and areas of uncertainty persist—particularly in emergency care—this issue extends beyond guidelines and becomes a matter of public health.
The objective is to move towards a consistent level of safety for all children across the entire territory.