If you are a parent (or anyone) who is interested to know how general anesthesia is given to a small baby you are in the right place.
Let’s jump right away to find out how this is done.
- Why is General Anesthesia given to a baby 1-year-old?
- What happens prior to general anesthesia?
- How does the baby go to sleep with general anesthesia?
- How did the baby sleep with the mask?
- What happens after the baby is off to sleep?
- What instructions are provided prior to general anesthesia?
Do check this video out for the complete information on how general anesthesia is provided in a small baby.
Why is General Anesthesia given to a baby 1-year-old?
General anesthesia may be required since these small babies do not lie still when they require a medical or surgical procedure. Here are some of the reasons why general anesthesia may be required.
- An operation or a surgery
- Magnetic resonance imaging
- Computed tomography scan
- Nuclear medicine scan
- Gastrointestinal scope
- Placement of medical devices
- Placement of major intravenous lines
- Lumbar puncture
- Other medical procedures
What happens prior to general anesthesia?
The child and parents are made to relax on arrival at the place where general anesthesia will be administered. The child is changed to a special operation theater dress. When it is time to take the child inside the operation theater, this can be a very emotional moment for the mother, father, and baby. The baby typically cries leaving the parents. This is a normal reaction. This phenomenon is called separation anxiety. This means the child has anxiety about strangers. This can be reduced by one of the following methods:
- Using medicine for the baby like midazolam to reduce the anxiety
- Starting general anesthesia in the presence of parents
After this, the nurse or the doctor takes the baby inside the operation theater or to the location where anesthesia is intended to be started.
How does the baby go to sleep with general anesthesia?
Once the baby is in the operation theater, a face mask is placed on the face of the baby. The baby may move and this is normal. Of course, the baby won’t be happy having a mask on the face and may cry. The baby may have to be held so the mask can be placed without any problem. Once the mask is placed for 2-3 minutes the baby is off to sleep.
As this thing is happening Electrocardiogram, noninvasive blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and all other monitors are placed so the baby is continuously monitored as long as the anesthesia is given. This is the responsibility of the anesthesia doctor.
How did the baby sleep with the mask?
The mask has anesthesia gas that is flowing from the machine into the plastic tube and then into the baby. First, it gets into the lungs then into the whole body, and then into the brain where the actual anesthesia works to get the baby off to sleep. This is explained in the video below.
What happens after the baby is off to sleep?
As the baby is off to sleep someone in the operation theater could be a nurse, it could be a junior doctor, or it could be another doctor will place an intravenous line where more medicines are given to the baby. Typically at this stage, the baby stops moving fully which means he is completely under general anesthesia.
Once that happens as you can see here, the doctor puts that instrument in the mouth of the baby. The instrument is called a laryngoscope and a breathing tube is placed. Once this is placed, the breathing is completely taken over by the anesthesia machine. It can also be partially taken over but for the most part, is taken over by the anesthesia machine. This is how general anesthesia is given to a 1-year-old baby.
Check out other videos related to anesthesia and surgery:
How does anesthesia gas work?
Check this video to find out how this wonder drug works to make sure anesthesia happens. The best part is there is no failure!!
What should you pack for your child’s surgery?
Aahh, this is like packing for a long international trip. Check this video so you don’t miss out on any important things
Check this out to find out the activities you can do after surgery
Have problems gone to sleep after anesthesia? Check to find out how to improve the sleep
Nausea or vomiting or both can be common. How can you prevent this using natural therapies? Find out
Curious about how long it takes to wake up after anesthesia. Check to find out:
What instructions are provided prior to general anesthesia?
The parents are provided instructions on what to feed or drink prior to coming to the hospital. Check this video for specific instructions on what to eat and drink prior to anesthesia.
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