Patient education: Sedation for procedures in children (The Basics)

What is sedation? — 

This means getting medicines to make you 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.

Your child might have gotten "minimal," "moderate," or "deep" sedation to make them more comfortable and help them hold still during a procedure:

●Minimal sedation – Your child will be more relaxed but can talk and answer questions. They can breathe on their own. In some places, properly trained nurse practitioners and physician assistants can also give minimal sedation.

●Moderate sedation – Your child might be able to talk and answer questions. They can breathe on their own, but might breathe slower or less deeply. In some places, properly trained nurse practitioners and physician assistants can also give moderate sedation.

●Deep sedation – Your child will not be able to talk or answer questions. They might need help with breathing or keeping their airway open. Only doctors, dentists, and anesthesia providers can give seep sedation.

When is sedation used? — 

Sedation can help make your child more comfortable during a procedure. It can also help keep them 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 the procedure, their 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 – Your child might need to "fast" before the procedure. This means not eating or drinking anything for a period of time. Or they 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.

●What help your child will need after having sedation – Your child will need someone 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.

●Your child might get extra oxygen during the procedure.

●The doctors and nurses will monitor your 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? — 

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 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

More on this topic

Patient education: Sedation for procedures in children – Discharge instructions (The Basics)
Patient education: Anesthesia in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Monitored anesthesia care (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)