Perioperative Behavioral Stress in Children
Interest in children's perioperative behavior has increased dramatically over the past few decades. In particular, the acknowledgement of the role of developmental factors in the perioperative field has prompted growth in investigation in the experience of children undergoing surgery. Children's responses to the surgical experience are shaped by cognitive, temperamental, and emotional factors, and it is important to identify those children most at risk for high levels of preoperative anxiety as well as poorer postoperative clinical and behavioral recovery. This chapter provides a review of the literature on developmental considerations that are relevant to the child's perioperative experience and then follows with a synthesis of the most recent data on children's preoperative anxiety and postoperative recovery as well as effective interventions for the management of preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain.
