“Do children experience side effects of anesthesia?”
My child needs to have gallbladder surgery, and she's only 13 years old. She's going to be under general anesthesia for the surgery, but is it possible for her to experience any side effects from the anesthesia?
5 Answers
By 13, the brain is well developed, so GA causing cognitive disfunction is rare, unlike under kids. All other side effects like nausea, vomiting, and sore throat are possible like in any adult patient.
Not usually. Children are in general fearful of both doctors and hospitals. Slight pain and mild nausea are the most common after experiences your child may encounter
Most common issues are nausea, vomiting, and throat pain, however, nowadays there are medications available to successfully treat any side effects safely and quickly. Most of the time, anesthesiologists meet the patients a few days in advance and ask specifically about previous issues with anesthesia of any. They make a plan accordingly. Almost all patients get medicines prior to anesthesia to minimize the incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting.
Best regards
Best regards
Yes, a 13-year-old girl will be at risk for side effects just like an adult. Modern day anesthetics are designed for rapid recovery. The most common side effects are nausea and vomiting which have been greatly reduced by the most common anesthetic used to start the anesthetic, propofol. People who complain of excessive sleepiness after surgery are usually sensitive the sedative properties of the narcotic medications used to control pain as opposed the the actual general anesthetic agents.
At this age, they are treated as small adults. Common side effects are headaches, aches and pains, nausea and vomiting; rare chances of injury to the teeth, throat, and lungs as they receive a breathing tube for surgery. Most children do really well with anesthesia. We usually give them medicine for pain and nausea before they wake up so they are comfortable waking up.
Good luck with her surgery.
Good luck with her surgery.
