The Claim

In healthy children undergoing urologic surgery, a single dose of etomidate causes significant cortisol suppression without any detectable difference in hemodynamic stability, recovery time, or postoperative complications compared to propofol.

Source: The Effects of Single-Dose Etomidate Versus Propofol on Cortisol Levels in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Urologic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
55score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Cause and effect
1 study reviewed
In plain English

In healthy children having urologic surgery, one dose of etomidate lowers cortisol levels more than propofol, but does not change blood pressure, recovery speed, or risk of complications.

See the scientific wording

In healthy children undergoing urologic surgery, a single dose of etomidate causes significant cortisol suppression without any detectable difference in clinical outcomes such as hemodynamic stability, recovery time, or postoperative complications compared to propofol.

Why this might work

A single dose of etomidate blocks a key enzyme in the adrenal glands that makes cortisol, so the body produces much less of this stress hormone for a full day. Even though cortisol stays low, the body still maintains stable blood pressure, wakes up normally, and has no more complications than when another drug is used.

Verified mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: The Effects of Single-Dose Etomidate Versus Propofol on Cortisol Levels in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Urologic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

    In kids having urologic surgery, one shot of etomidate lowers a stress hormone called cortisol for about a day, but these kids still wake up, recover, and stay stable just like kids who got propofol—no worse off at all.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.