Perioperative anxiety in children.

UNLABELLED 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.