Anaesthesia in Children
Parent Information Leaflet
An operative procedure and anaesthetic for a child can be a stressful experience.
The following advice may help improve this experience.
Fasting
It is often more difficult for a child to fast for long periods of time. Clear fluids (water, apple juice or BLACK tea with or without sugar) can be given to the child up to 2 hours before presenting to hospital. Please remember that milk (breast, formula or cows milk) is NOT A CLEAR FLUID and should be stopped 6 hours before presenting to hospital.
Tips for parents
Explain as much as you can to your child about the visit to the hospital and the process.
A basic schedule of what should happen
1. They will be fasting before coming to hospital,
Help your child by not making fasting an issue, don’t eat and drink in front of them, encourage them to eat 6 hours before coming to hospital and giving them something to drink 2 hours before you get to the hospital
2. You will then do lots of paperwork
Try to get as much of the paperwork done at home if possible.
Bring toys, books, iPad to entertain them while you do the paperwork.
3. You will then see the anaesthetist and may have premedication prescribed for your child
Please tell your anaesthetist about any relevant medical problems, allergies and previous operations.
If your child has had a recent cough or cold, please inform the anaesthetist.
Try and keep your child calm after the premedication as they can be stimulated by the premed.
4. You will wait for your turn to go to theatre
Bring toys, books, iPad, pencils to entertain them while you do the paperwork. Remember to bring chargers.
5. You will be brought to the theatre waiting area and may have to wait some more.
Still have something to entertain your child while waiting and bring a favourite toy or cuddly with them as this can help in theatre.
6. Your child will go into theatre
Some anaesthesiologists will allow parents to accompany their child into theatre while they are being anaesthetised.
Most children are anaesthetised using a mask and gas. The gases can have a pungent smell.
Drips and injections are usually done once they are anaesthetised.
This can be a very emotional time for parents as your child may cry, fight, move strangely and roll their eyes as they go off to sleep.
Leave the theatre quickly when requested to do so by the staff.
7. Your child will be in theatre
The anaesthetist will be with your child throughout, monitoring him/her and giving the necessary pain medication.
This can be a very long slow wait, go get something to eat and drink, bring a book or something to entertain yourself.
8. After the anaesthetic
Your child will be observed in the recovery room and you will be called to see an often grumpy, unhappy child when they awaken and in the first hour after returning to the ward.
Let them awaken slowly.
Have something they like available for them to eat and drink once they are awake and allowed to eat and drink.
9. Going home
Your child will be discharged when appropriate after you have returned to the ward. Make sure you have your medication before you leave the ward or hospital.
Remember to pack for a night in hospital even if it’s a day case.
Please feel free to raise any questions with your anaesthetist.
For more information please visit the following websites:
South African Society of Anaesthesiologists
*The information above has been modified from documents by Dr. E Welch.