Surgical stress and preoperative fasting can induce insulin resistance, characterized by impaired cellular response to insulin and resulting hyperglycemia. In pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery, this metabolic stress response may negatively affect postoperative recovery. Although preoperative oral carbohydrate loading, defined as administering a carbohydrate-rich beverage before surgery rather than prolonged fasting, has demonstrated efficacy in reducing postoperative insulin resistance in adults, evidence supporting its use in pediatric cardiac surgery remains limited.

This randomized controlled trial aims to determine whether preoperative oral carbohydrate loading reduces perioperative insulin resistance, as measured by the Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The study will compare outcomes between children who receive an oral carbohydrate beverage prior to surgery and those who follow standard preoperative fasting protocols.