LAUSR

© 2022 Indian Journal of Anaesthesia | Published by Wolters Kluwer Medknow Perioperative anxiety in children has often been associated with diverse implications like separation anxiety, emergence delirium, enhanced analgesic requirements and subsequent sequelae like behavioural changes leading to sleep disturbances, eating disorders and new onset enuresis.[1] Paediatric patients need premedication to reduce anxiety, improve compliance while providing amnesia for the process of induction, and reduce negative behavioural changes during the postoperative period.[2] Premedication is superior to the presence of parents or guardians during the induction or preoperative teaching programmes.[3] Good premedication should be easily applicable and have a rapid onset and short duration of action without significant short or long term side effects. Additionally, in this age group, it is desirable that there is no needle prick, is non-irritable, and is not painful. The search for the ideal premedication in children is far from over, especially in view of the diverse needs based on age and physiology, a plethora of pharmacologic agents available and varying routes available. The paediatric age group is different even within themselves anatomically, physiologically, as well as pharmacologically.[4]