Premedication in paediatrics

Authors

  • L Strauss University of the Witwatersrand

Keywords:

premedication, paediatrics

Abstract

Millions of children around the world undergo anaesthesia and surgery every year. Going to theatre is a stressful experience for children. Evidence suggests that more than 60% of children undergoing anaesthesia report anxiety and nearly 20% experience a high degree of anxiety.1 The reasons for children’s distress before anaesthesia are multifaceted and include anxiety about needles and cannulae, the anaesthetic or procedure itself, postoperative pain and recovery, as well as anxiety related to past experiences.1 Preoperative anxiety is associated with adverse clinical and behavioural outcomes. 

Author Biography

L Strauss, University of the Witwatersrand

Department of Anaesthesia, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

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Published

2021-11-15

Issue

Vol. 27 No. 6 (2021)

Section

FCA Refresher Course

License

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