Risks of Sedation

Abstract

This section summarizes the risks and complications of sedation. Topics include what should be discussed with parents when obtaining consent. The sedation plan should be discussed with parents during the consent process. “Material” risks should be disclosed, including both minor but frequent events such as nausea, and rare but severe complications such as cardiac arrest. Limits of sedation should also be discussed. Written consent should be documented in an anesthesia (or sedation)-specific consent form. This section also includes the topic of anesthesia- and sedation-related neurotoxicity. Data from animal and human studies are reviewed, with emphasis on larger human studies either recently completed or underway.