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General anaesthesia for children
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General anaesthesia for children
Important information
If your child has to go into hospital for an operation or procedure they may need to have a ‘general anaesthetic’.
A general anaesthetic makes sure that your child is unconscious and free of pain during an operation or procedure.
Having an anaesthetic is very safe, especially for children.
We would like to help you understand how we look after your child while they are asleep during surgery. This resource talks about anaesthesia, the risks, and where you can find out more information.
We have more information on our anaesthesia webpage.
Information about your surgery day
You can find information about your admission day (the day you come into hospital) and our facilities (the things which you can do or use while your child is in hospital) in this booklet on our website.
Or visit to download the PDF directly.
The risks of general anaesthesia for children
Information:
The risk of serious harm from an anaesthetic is very low. However, no anaesthetic is entirely risk-free.
The information below talks about anaesthetic risks for adults. These risks also apply to children and the information provided shows the risks we feel you must know about. On the day of surgery, you will be able to talk to your child’s anaesthetist about these risks.
Further information about the risks of anaesthesia is available on our website and you can contact us if you have any questions or worries.
If you have a question that you cannot find the answer to in this booklet or our Frequently Asked Questions on our website, please call the Preoperative Care Team on 0114 305 8130 or 0114 305 8349.
How can I help my child to get ready for their procedure and the anaesthetic?
It is important to talk to your child about coming to hospital.
This means they can talk about any worries, and feel ready for having their procedure and an anaesthetic.
We have information on our website about having an anaesthetic for both younger and older children. This can also help you to talk to them about going into hospital.
A free app is also available to download. It provides an interactive video tour of Sheffield Children’s Hospital plus lots of other information. Search for ‘Little Journey’ on the Google Play App Store, or the Apple App Store.
Extra support
Some families and children may need extra help while they are in hospital.
If you need an interpreter please call the number shown on your appointment letter.
If your child has special needs please contact the Preoperative Care Team on 0114 305 8130 or 0114 305 8349. We can talk about what your child needs, and what we can do to help your child.
What should we do if we cannot attend?
Please call us as soon as possible on the number shown on your appointment letter.
What if my child is unwell on the day?
Please call the Theatre Assessment Unit for advice on 0114 271 7343.
Is something missing from this resource that you think should be included? Please let us know
Disclaimer
Please note: this is a generic information sheet relating to care at Sheffield Children’s NHS FT. These details may not reflect treatment at other hospitals. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professionals’ instructions. If this resource relates to medicines, please read it alongside the medicine manufacturer’s patient information leaflet. If this information has been translated into another language from English, efforts have been made to maintain accuracy, but there may still be some translation errors. If you are unsure about any of the guidance in this resource or have specific questions about how it relates to your child, always ask your healthcare professional for further advice.
Resource number: ANA11
Resource Type: Article
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TH
United Kingdom
Switchboard: 0114 271 7000
Interesting Facts
We’ve got a special MRI scanner just for teddies so children can see what it’s like before they have a scan.
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