General Anesthesia, Pediatric
General anesthesia is a sleep-like state of nonfeeling produced by medicines called anesthetics. General anesthesia keeps a person from being alert or feeling pain during a medical procedure. It is often recommended if a procedure:
Is long.
Causes pain or discomfort.
Might be scary to experience.
Requires the person to be still.
Affects breathing.
LET YOUR CHILD'S HEALTH CARE PROVIDER KNOW ABOUT:
Any allergies your child has.
All medicines you child takes, including inhaled medicines, vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
Previous problems your child or members of your family have had with the use of anesthetics.
Types of anesthetics your child has had …show more content…
Any loose teeth, braces, bands, or a retainer.
Any nausea during boat or car rides.
Any history of motion sickness in the family.
RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS
Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:
Allergic reaction to the anesthetics.
Lung and heart problems.
Inhaling food or liquids in the stomach into the lungs (aspiration).
Injury to nerves.
Awareness during anesthesia.
Air in the blood stream, which can lead to stroke.
Complications of general anesthesia are rare, but they can be life-threatening. Some complications can be prevented by answering all of the health care provider's questions thoroughly and by following all pre-procedure instructions. Complications are more likely to develop in:
Children with an advanced or serious medical problem.
Children with respiratory and respiratory diseases.
Children who are having a major surgery.
General anesthesia can cause side effects. Common side effects include:
Nausea or vomiting.
Sore throat.
Hoarseness.
Wheezing or coughing.
Feeling cold or shivery.
Tiredness.
Achiness.
General anesthesia is a sleep-like state of nonfeeling produced by medicines called anesthetics. General anesthesia keeps a person from being alert or feeling pain during a medical procedure. It is often recommended if a procedure:
Is long.
Causes pain or discomfort.
Might be scary to experience.
Requires the person to be still.
Affects breathing.
LET YOUR CHILD'S HEALTH CARE PROVIDER KNOW ABOUT:
Any allergies your child has.
All medicines you child takes, including inhaled medicines, vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
Previous problems your child or members of your family have had with the use of anesthetics.
Types of anesthetics your child has had …show more content…
Any loose teeth, braces, bands, or a retainer.
Any nausea during boat or car rides.
Any history of motion sickness in the family.
RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS
Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:
Allergic reaction to the anesthetics.
Lung and heart problems.
Inhaling food or liquids in the stomach into the lungs (aspiration).
Injury to nerves.
Awareness during anesthesia.
Air in the blood stream, which can lead to stroke.
Complications of general anesthesia are rare, but they can be life-threatening. Some complications can be prevented by answering all of the health care provider's questions thoroughly and by following all pre-procedure instructions. Complications are more likely to develop in:
Children with an advanced or serious medical problem.
Children with respiratory and respiratory diseases.
Children who are having a major surgery.
General anesthesia can cause side effects. Common side effects include:
Nausea or vomiting.
Sore throat.
Hoarseness.
Wheezing or coughing.
Feeling cold or shivery.
Tiredness.
Achiness.