General Anaesthetic / for 4 Year Old

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Hi all,

Following on from my last thread regarding some dental issues with our DD4, there are two teeth that never fully formed and they are causing issues. We have been given the options (we see a well respected specialist this weekend so will see if there's any other options) - of a potential crown situ' or removal of the two teeth in question.

Now... with DD4 being very timid and nervous, we've already been told that gas might not be an option, which leaves general anaesthetic.

Of course, with her being only 4, we have some reservations and anxiety about that. Rather than lean on Google and the rabbit hole that might bring, I wanted to ask on here... has anyone else had their child, as young as 4, go under GA?

Md ds did when he was 3. It was absolutely fine. I got to sit with him until he was asleep and was there when he woke. By the evening he was his usual self.

3 year old did for tonsils and adenoids was fine

Make sure it's a paediatric anaesthetist especially if you are at a smaller hospital

I did aged 3 and I was fine.

Yep for tonsil removal and also for blood clot on brain. You will be with them whilst initial anaesthetic is administered so can reassure.

Both my grandchildren. The youngest has got moderate hearing loss and is what in previous generations would have been called frail. She's had a few procedures. She's had pneumonia and sepsis in the past. As well as grommets and constant ear infections to the point that dhe is immune to Amoxicillin. The older one had a bowel condition and has had a GA, she's also been put into a twilight sleep. I know a little boy who had a GA for teeth removal. There were no issues with any of them.

My 3 dc now all adults/teens have had multiple ga between them. All been fine.
They come round differently dc1 thrashes around the bed is unaware of being awake and then sleeps it off, dc2 sleeps a long time then is fine, dc3 wakes as if nothing is happening and usually had to be told to sit still! Was always known for being very chatty and asking for cereal as soon as they woke up.

Yep, mine was just shy of being 5 when he had a Tonsilloadenoidectomy and grommets fitted. Absolutely fine. He was a bit randomly angry when he came to but apparently that’s quite common in kids 🤣 they told me to get on the bed with him as they wheeled him back to ward and he pushed me off with all his strength 🤣 he had a snooze after and woke up completely back to normal.
Dint get me wrong, I was absolutely in bits while he was in theatre, but there were no problems at all

My daughter had been 3x by the time she was 4, though not for dental stuff. Obviously, it’s not pleasant as a parent and you do worry, but they wouldn’t be suggesting it if they didn’t think it was necessary. The first 2 times it was definitely worse for us than her! (Third time was major surgery so obviously hit her harder, but tbh I still think it was worse for us than her as she was mostly unaware of what’s going on!)

Mine went under for a whateveritwascalledIdon'trecallnow to confirm her bloods for coeliacs. It was absolutely fine. She went to sleep in my arms, with me singing her lullabies. The most trauma cased was to the operating staff who had to endure my singing.

My 4 year old did a few weeks ago. They gave her a sedative first because of various previous traumatic hospital experiences and it was absolutely fine. Her big complaint beforehand and after the surgery was being hungry because of being nil by mouth, so once she'd had some food, she was happy as anything.

One of mine did when she was 2. Had a wee op inside her ears. Was fine and bounced back very quickly.

And actually her daughter just had a wee op a couple of months ago, at age 14 months. Again no issues, recovered very quickly. The worst part was the fasting beforehand.

I understand why you're anxious OP, and in all honesty it's not a the most enjoyable experience you'll ever have. I have anaesthetised thousands of young children over my career but I still found it stressful when my own DS had to have repeated anaesthetics when he was between 4 and 6 years old. But the risks of a planned procedure in a healthy child really are very low and your DD will be looked after by experienced staff who do this kind of thing very regularly and will understand your concern. I'd tell you not to worry but I know that's easier said than done! The biggest help is probably to understand more about what will happen. You should get info from your own hospital but the Royal College of Anaesthetists has some good resources to help prepare children and their parents which are worth a look.
https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/patients/patient-information-resources/information-children-parents-carers

DS2 had a GA age 2 and it was quite difficult to be honest. He had to have gas as they couldn't see a vein and he fought and thrashed about as it took effect. He came round and was fighting - he was knealt up on the bed as they wheeled him back to the ward.

DD had one, age 5 and it was a completely different experience. They used gas too and held it under her chin initially as she drew on an iPad. Totally calm and peaceful. She also woke up easier too.

DD also needed dental work more recently. She is autistic and has huge anxiety and sensory difficulties. She managed inhalation sedation absolutely fine, though she is 10 now - so maybe that could be an option for your DC? I'm not sure what age they offer that from

Mine had a few GAs at that age, most traumatic bit was the 6am departure from home to the hospital for a 7am check in. Mine is also autistic and even that didn't cause any issues, they were great with him throughout.

With dental work I would always opt for GA in a child that age over developing a potential lifelong dental phobia

Our eldest went under GA to have a hydrocele removed when he was this age (it hadn't resolved and they recommended surgery & we wanted to get it done & healed before he started reception at school)
It was nerve wracking for me & dad (him being a dr made it worse I think) but he was absolutely fine
He was fine with it and easily distracted with a new Lego set. Harder to keep him off it to heal mind.

My son has ongoing health needs and he been under GA several times for various different things since he was around 6 months old. I remember being very anxious in the run up to it. He is usually given gas to go off to sleep and then once asleep they insert cannula and switch to that to give sedation. It’s all very quick and the staff are great but I’ve never got used to seeing him sedated.

Thank you all so much. Really.

We see a specialist on Sunday and we will go
from there.

This is why mumsnet is important, because of things like this. Thank you all again.

I help put children aged 3 and above to sleep for surgery most days. Happy to answer specific queries

Jumping onto the OPs thread to ask about the sedation beforehand another poster mentioned above. Is that common and how is it administered?

Also have a preschooler due a couple of surgeries and haven't had any since they were a baby. They do however have a fear of needles/canulas and can fight like a cat so wanting to be ready to discuss options!

Mine was fine going in, had a sedative but she had a really rough time coming around. She was extremely upset for a few hours, really hysterical. But thats not the norm, even the nurses were surprised. She did manage to calm down, went home and had a good nap and was fine in few hours. We did need to have her surgery done, it was painful and distressing on the day but it made her life a lot easier in the long run,

@Starryknightcloud One of the reasons my DD had a sedative was because last time she had to have a blood test it took four people to pin her down to get the blood. It was horrific so they agreed to administer the anaesthetic by inhaler and gave her a sedative to keep any anxiety at bay. The cannula went in once she was asleep. I was nervous but it was a really peaceful experience for her.

The sedative was an oral gel which she said tasted nasty but she forgot all about it very quickly (she was more concerned about being hungry).

Yes, he's had a lot of teeth out. They are SO fantastic with kids in my experience, and really know how to make it all very calm and interactive.

My 20mo had a GA for an inguinal hernia. Obviously no choice so I didn’t have to wrestle with the decision but he was 100% fine.

I was a quivering wreck and may never be the same again, but that’s parenting!