Perioperative anxiety in children.
OBJECTIVES & AIM: The purpose of this investigation was to examine children's anxiety across the perioperative setting.


BACKGROUND
Although several studies have examined preoperative anxiety in children, few researchers have illustrated perioperative anxiety; that is, anxiety in children throughout the pre and postoperative continuum.


METHODS
Participants were 261 children ages 2-12. Anxiety was rated prior to surgery, immediately after surgery, and for 2 weeks at home following surgery.


RESULTS
Low child sociability and high parent anxiety predicted perioperative anxiety. Perioperative anxiety was related to postoperative pain and negative postoperative behavioral change.


CONCLUSIONS
Identification and prevention of anxiety in children can help prevent negative outcomes following surgery.
Fortier
Michelle A
MA
Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Care, University of California-Irvine, Orange, CA, USA. mfortier@choc.org
Del Rosario
Antonio M
AM
Martin
Sarah R
SR
Kain
Zeev N
ZN
D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D057234:Preoperative Period; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013694:Temperament