Airway irritability often occurs during induction of anaesthesia with isoflurane and may be accompanied by substantial reductions in oxygen saturation. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of atropine pre‐anaesthetic medication on the induction characteristics of isoflurane. The incidence and severity of airway complications were significantly reduced in children who received atropine, both the oral and intra‐muscular routes being equally effective. However, almost half the children receiving no premedication had saturation levels less than