Anesthesiology is a specialty focused on the safe management of anxiety and/or pain before, during and after a medical procedure.

This can include:

• Sedation that can help keep a patient calm and/or still during a procedure
• Regional pain control that numbs an area of the body
• General anesthesia that renders a patient unconscious and insensitive to pain during surgery

Physicians who specialize in anesthesiology are called anesthesiologists.

Pediatric anesthesiologists are physicians specializing in anesthesiology, but with a sole focus on the care of children from newborn to age 21. They choose to make pediatric care the core of their medical practice, and receive advanced training and experience in the unique nature of medical and surgical needs of children.

Pediatric anesthesiologists are responsible for the general anesthesia, sedation and pain management needs of infants and children. Pediatric anesthesiologists generally provide the following services:

• Evaluating complex medical problems in infants and children when surgery is needed
• Planning and providing care before, during and after surgery
• Creating a nonthreatening environment for children in the operating room
• Controlling pain, if needed, after surgery either with intravenous (IV) medicines or other anesthetic techniques
• Providing anesthesia and sedation for many procedures outside of the operating room, such as MRI, CT scan and radiation therapy

In addition to the education and training all anesthesiologists receive, pediatric anesthesiologists complete at least one additional year of specialized training in the proper use of anesthesia in the care of infants and children. Pediatric anesthesiologists complete:

• At least four years of medical school
• At least three years of residency in anesthesiology
• One to three years of fellowship training in pediatric anesthesiology
• Certification from the American Board of Anesthesiologists, with the option to receive another board certification in pediatric anesthesiology

Modern anesthesia is safer than ever. Still, children need specialized care, precise dosing and close monitoring during and after surgery.

We will create a plan just for your child based on his weight, height, age, any existing medical conditions and type of surgery. A nurse will call you one or two days before surgery to let you know when your child should stop eating so that his stomach is empty during the procedure, what foods are allowed, and anything else you may need to know. One of our anesthesiologists will meet with you before surgery to make sure you and your child know what to expect, and we will be able to talk with you about any questions or concerns you may have.

FDA warns about prolonged anesthesia in children younger than 3 years old

On Dec. 14, 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety announcement about the possible effect of giving anesthesia to children younger than 3 years old repeatedly or for long periods of time. Recent studies suggest that a single, relatively short exposure to general anesthetic and sedation drugs in infants or toddlers is unlikely to have negative effects on behavior or learning. However, further research is needed to fully characterize how anesthesia early in life may affect a child’s brain development.

Anesthetics are necessary for infants and children who require surgery, or other painful or stressful procedures, especially when they face situations requiring surgery or procedures that should not be delayed. Your child’s physician can discuss with you the benefits, risks and timing of surgery or procedures requiring anesthetics. Healthcare professionals, along with you, should balance the benefits of appropriate anesthesia use in young children against the potential risks.

Read the full FDA statement