Moderate Sedation in Children
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 6, 2024.
What do I need to know about moderate sedation?
Moderate sedation is medicine given during a procedure or treatment to help your child feel relaxed and calm. It may also be given to help decrease your child's movement during a procedure or treatment. The medicine may be given as a pill, shot, inhaled solution, or injection through an IV. Your child will be awake and able to follow directions. Moderate sedation can be used for procedures such as wound repair, fracture reduction, or a lumbar puncture.
How do I prepare my child for moderate sedation?
Your child's healthcare provider will talk to you about how to prepare your child for moderate sedation. The provider may tell you not to give your child anything to eat or drink for 8 hours before moderate sedation. You can breastfeed your baby up until 4 hours before moderate sedation. You can give your child clear liquids up until 2 hours before moderate sedation. Tell your child's healthcare provider if he or she or she has any allergies, breathing problems, or heart problems. Bring another adult with you on the ride home to watch your child for problems after sedation. A second adult can ride with your child in the backseat while you drive.
What will happen during moderate sedation?
A healthcare provider may place an IV in your child's arm or hand. Your child's healthcare provider will give your child enough medicine to keep him or her relaxed and calm. Your child's heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing with be closely monitored.
What will happen after moderate sedation?
- Healthcare providers will monitor your child until he or she is awake. Your child may need extra oxygen if his or her blood oxygen level is lower than it should be. Ask your child's healthcare provider before you take off the mask or oxygen tubing. As your child wakes up, he or she may cry or have difficulty getting comfortable. This is normal after moderate sedation. Speak in a quiet, calm voice to your child to help him or her relax. Your child may be able to go home after he or she is alert, can sit up, and talk appropriately for his or her age. This may take 1 to 2 hours after your child has received moderate sedation.
- Your child may be sleepy and need frequent naps after he or she goes home. Your child may be restless until the medicine is completely out of his or her system. Your child may also have a headache or nausea, or your child may vomit. After sedation you may notice that your child has problems with short-term memory. Your child may feel weak or have trouble with his or her balance. These symptoms should go away in 24 hours or less.
What are the risks of moderate sedation?
- Your child may get a headache or nausea from the medicine. Your child's skin may itch or his or her eyes may water. Your child may not get enough sedation, or it may wear off quickly. Your child may feel restless during the procedure or as he or she wakes up.
- Too much medicine can cause deep sedation. The provider may have trouble waking your child and he or she may need medicine to help wake up. Your child's breathing may not be regular, or it may stop. Your child may need a ventilator to help him or her breathe. Your child's risk for problems with sedation is higher if he or she has a heart or lung problem, a head injury, or a problem with development.
Call 911 for any of the following:
- Your child has trouble breathing.
- Your child cannot be woken.
- Your child has a seizure.
- Your child cannot talk, move, or see normally within a few hours of the procedure.
When should I seek immediate care?
- Your child has a severe headache or dizziness, or cries constantly.
- Your child's heart is beating faster than usual.
When should I contact my child's healthcare provider?
- Your child has a fever or chills.
- Your child has nausea or is vomiting for longer than 8 hours after procedure.
- Your child's skin is itchy, swollen, or he or she has a rash.
- You have questions or concerns about your child's condition or care.
Care Agreement
You have the right to help plan your child's care. Learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your child's healthcare providers to decide what care you want for your child. The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.© Copyright Merative 2024 Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
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