Parental Presence During Induction vs. Sedative Premedication

This case focuses on using anesthesia on children and the effects of calming the child by having their parents present. This case asks the question: Is a pharmacologic intervention (midazolam premedication) or a behavioral intervention (parental presence) more effective in reducing anxiety of children undergoing surgery? This randomized controlled trial demonstrated that premedication with oral midazolam was more effective at reducing preoperative anxiety in both children and parents than parental presence during induction. Furthermore, premedicated children were more compliant with induction.