With ethics committee approval and parental informed consent , 20 children , aged 4-17 years , ASA status I or II , scheduled for abdominal or thoracic surgery were randomised either to Group 1 - receiving a 12.6 % carbohydrate-containing drink ( 10 mL kg ( -1 ) the evening before surgery and two hours before anaesthesia ) , or the control Group 2 - fasting .