Patient education: Moderate or deep sedation for procedures in children (The Basics)

What is sedation? — "Sedation" means giving medicines to make a person relax and feel sleepy. It can be used for different medical procedures and minor surgeries.

With sedation, your child might not remember the procedure when it is over. The staff monitors their heart rate and breathing carefully when they have sedation.

What is moderate or deep sedation? — There are different types or levels of sedation. "Moderate" or "deep" sedation refers to how your child is affected:

●Moderate sedation – With moderate sedation, your child might be able to talk and answer questions. They can breathe on their own. Doctors, dentists, and anesthesia providers can give this type of sedation. It is also known as "conscious sedation."

●Deep sedation – With deep sedation, your child is not able to talk or answer questions. They might need help to breathe or keep their airway open. Doctors, dentists, and anesthesia providers can give this type of sedation.

When is sedation used? — Doctors use sedation to help make your child more comfortable during a procedure. It can also help keep your child still during a procedure. Examples of procedures that might be done with sedation include:

●Getting stitches

●Setting a broken bone

●Fixing a dislocated knee or shoulder

●Getting an imaging test, like an MRI or ultrasound, that requires the child to stay still

How does my child prepare for sedation? — The doctor or nurse will tell you if your child needs to do anything special to prepare. Before their procedure, the doctor will do an exam and ask about your child’s health history. You will also get information about:

●Eating and drinking before the procedure – In some cases, your child might need to "fast" before their procedure. This means not eating or drinking anything for a period of time. In other cases, your child might be allowed to have liquids until a short time before the procedure. Whether your child need to fast, and for how long, depends on the procedure they are having.

●What help your child will need after having sedation – Your child will need someone else to bring them home. They might need someone to stay with them for some time while they recover.

Ask the doctor or nurse if you have questions or if there is anything you do not understand.

What happens during sedation? — When it is time for the procedure:

●Your child will get an "IV," which is a thin tube that goes into a vein. This can be used to give them fluids and medicines.

●Your child will get sedation medicines. They might also get medicines to help with pain.

●Some children are given extra oxygen during the procedure.

●The doctors and nurses will monitor the child's breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate during the procedure.

After the procedure, the sedation will slowly wear off and your child will become more awake.

What happens after sedation? — After the procedure, the staff will watch your child closely as their sedation wears off.

As they recover, it is common for children to be fussy or feel drowsy, lightheaded, unsteady, or confused for up to 24 hours. They might also feel nauseous or vomit.

What are the risks of sedation? — The doctor will talk to you about all of the possible risks, and answer your questions. Possible risks include:

●Low blood pressure

●Breathing problems

●Vomiting

●Being upset and difficult to calm as the sedation wears off

How do I care for my child at home? — Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do to care for your child when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for your child. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

●Plan quiet activities for the rest of the day. For at least 24 hours, do not let your child:

•Ride a bike, scooter, or skateboard

•Climb, or do other activities where they could get hurt

•Drive

•Operate machinery

●It is OK to let your child sleep. If they sleep during the day, check on your child every few hours. Make sure that they wake up and can recognize you.

●Help your child when they walk if they are unsteady. Your child is at a higher risk of falling for the next 24 hours.

When should I call the doctor? — Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:

●Your child starts to have choking or coughing episodes, trouble breathing, or trouble swallowing.

Call for advice if:

●Your child is vomiting for more than 2 hours and can't keep down sips of clear liquids.

●You have trouble waking your child, or they don't recognize you.

●Your child slurs their words, and you can't understand them.

●Your child gets a fever within 24 hours of going home.

●After 6 hours, your child:

•Feels so tired that they cannot stay awake

•Is not acting like themselves

•Starts to feel lightheaded, dizzy, or weak

More on this topic

Patient education: Anesthesia (The Basics)
Patient education: Fasting before surgery (The Basics)
Patient education: Questions to ask if you are having surgery or a procedure (The Basics)
Patient education: Sedation for procedures in adults (The Basics)