Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 19, 2026

Use of a Piglet Model for the Study of Anesthetic-induced Developmental Neurotoxicity AIDN: A Translational Neuroscience Approach
06:38

Use of a Piglet Model for the Study of Anesthetic-induced Developmental Neurotoxicity AIDN: A Translational Neuroscience Approach

Published on: June 11, 2017

11.8K

Postanesthetic Emergence Agitation in Pediatric Patients under General Anesthesia

Masoumeh Mohkamkar1, Fatemeh Farhoudi2, Alireza Alam-Sahebpour3

  • 1Postanesthetic Care Unit, Bouali Sina Hospital.

Iranian Journal of Pediatrics
|December 24, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Postanesthetic emergence agitation affects 17.9% of pediatric patients. Otorhinolaryngological surgery, pain, and induction behavior are key risk factors for this common postanesthetic complication.

Area of Science:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Pediatric Care
  • Surgical Outcomes

Background:

  • Postanesthetic emergence agitation (PEA) is a frequent complication in pediatric postanesthetic care units, with reported incidence rates varying widely from 10% to 80%.
  • Understanding the prevalence and associated risk factors of PEA is crucial for improving patient outcomes and care strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of emergence agitation in pediatric patients.
  • To identify independent risk factors associated with emergence agitation following general anesthesia in children.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional descriptive and analytic study involving 747 pediatric patients aged 3-7 years undergoing elective surgeries.
  • Data collection utilized the Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium Scale for agitation assessment and a questionnaire for risk factors.
  • Statistical analysis included independent sample t-test, chi-squared test, and binary logistic regression, with a significance level of P<0.05.

Main Results:

  • The incidence of emergence agitation was 17.9% (134 out of 747 children).
  • Otorhinolaryngological (ENT) procedures (42.2%), pain, and specific induction behaviors were significantly associated with higher rates of PEA.
  • Other frequent surgeries included abdominal (23.7%), orthopedic (18.3%), and urological (13%).

Conclusions:

  • Multiple independent risk factors contribute to postanesthetic emergence agitation in children.
  • Identifying and addressing these risk factors, such as ENT surgery and pain, is essential for minimizing PEA incidence in routine postanesthetic care.
Abstract

Keywords:
AnesthesiaEmergence AgitationPediatric SurgeryPsychomotor Agitation

More Related Videos

Anesthesia and Intubation of Preadolescent Mouse Pups for Cardiothoracic Surgery09:47

Anesthesia and Intubation of Preadolescent Mouse Pups for Cardiothoracic Surgery

Published on: June 2, 2022

3.0K

Related Concept Videos

Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview01:24

Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview

Intravenous anesthetics are drugs administered parenterally to induce anesthesia or sedation. Propofol is a widely used agent formulated as a 1% emulsion in soybean oil, glycerol, and egg phosphatide. It induces rapid anesthesia primarily due to its rapid distribution from the bloodstream to target tissues and is metabolized in the liver. However, it can cause significant pain on injection and hypertriglyceridemia. Fospropofol, a water-based prodrug of propofol, lacks these adverse effects.
972
Stages of General Anesthesia01:22

Stages of General Anesthesia

Various sedation levels offer significant advantages in facilitating procedural interventions for patients undergoing medical or invasive surgical procedures. These levels span from anxiolysis to general anesthesia, providing a spectrum of sedative effects to cater to specific patient needs. Anxiolysis reduces anxiety and is achieved through minimal sedation, enabling patients to remain awake and responsive while feeling more at ease during the procedure. This level can benefit minor...
2.5K
General Anesthesia: Overview01:24

General Anesthesia: Overview

Anesthesia is a medical procedure that uses drugs for CNS suppression to enable painless surgeries and procedures. The selection of anesthetics is influenced by their pharmacokinetic properties, side effects, and patient characteristics. Various types of anesthesia include general, local, regional, spinal, and inhalational.
General anesthesia induces unconsciousness in the whole body, while the others target specific areas or sensations. It is administered to minimize adverse effects, maintain...
1.2K
Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview01:20

Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview

Inhalation anesthetics are drugs that induce general anesthesia upon inhalation. They work by increasing the sensitivity of GABAA receptors or inhibiting NMDA receptors, leading to a decrease in central nervous system activity. The depth of anesthesia can be rapidly adjusted by changing the concentration of the inhaled gas. Some common examples of inhalational anesthetics include volatile liquids like isoflurane, desflurane, sevoflurane and gases like xenon and nitrous oxide. Isoflurane, a...
1.7K
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
886
Cardiomyopathy VII: Pre and Post Operative Nursing Management01:28

Cardiomyopathy VII: Pre and Post Operative Nursing Management

Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction who remain symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy may undergo a septal myectomy (Morrow procedure). This procedure involves excising a portion of the hypertrophied septum below the aortic valve using a heart-lung machine to improve blood flow through the LVOT. Effective preoperative and postoperative nursing management ensures successful patient outcomes, minimizes complications, and...
442