Patient Information Leaflet
Sedation for your Child’s Test or
Treatment
(oral and nasal)
Information for parents and carers
Children’s Ward
01625 661080
Contact: 01625 421000 www.eastcheshire.nhs.uk
Leaflet Ref: 11422
Published: 10/15
t @eastcheshirenhs
t @echonhscharity
Review: 10/18
Page 1
Patient Information Leaflet
What is sedation?
Sedation means feeling relaxed, free from fear, anxiety, pain and distress. These
feelings are produced by drugs called sedatives
Why does my child need sedation?
Sometimes children need sedation for a test or treatment at the hospital. This can be
for a number of reasons:
 If your child is anxious or distressed about a test or treatment
 If a test is painful or uncomfortable
 Because we need your child to lie very still
How will my child be given the sedation medicine?
The sedation medicine is usually a liquid that your child swallows. It usually takes
about an hour to work. Sometimes the medicine is given up your child’s nose or
rubbed onto the inside of their cheek. The nurse looking after your child will give you
more information about the specific medicine that your child is being given.
How safe are sedation medicines?
Modern sedation medicines are safe and complications are rare. For a child in good
health having a minor test or treatment:
 1 child in 10 might have a headache, feel sick or dizzy or be sick
 1 child in 25 might get so agitated or upset that the test has to be cancelled.
What happens if the sedation doesn’t work?
If the sedation medicine doesn’t work, the doctor will either try a different type of
medicine or cancel the test for that day. The nurse or doctor looking after your child
will tell you what will happen next and answer any questions you may have.
What should I tell my child about going to the hospital?
All children (except infants) should be told that they are going to the hospital and will
be having a test or treatment. Try and use simple words and answer all of their
questions.
You can visit the hospital before the day of your child’s test if you wish. This is called
a pre-admission visit. At this visit your child will meet one of the play specialists.
They will tell your child what will happen on the day of their test and answer any
questions.
If you want a pre-admission visit call 01625 661080 and ask to speak to one of the
Play Specialists.
Do I need to tell the hospital anything before my child comes in for their
sedation?
You should let the hospital know if your child has any special needs.
Contact: 01625 421000 www.eastcheshire.nhs.uk
Leaflet Ref: 11422
Published: 10/15
t @eastcheshirenhs
t @echonhscharity
Review: 10/18
Page 2
Patient Information Leaflet
You should ring the hospital if your child develops a severe cough or cold OR has
contact with infections like chickenpox, measles etc shortly before the day of the test
or treatment.
Eating and drinking before having sedation:
It is very important that your child’s stomach is as empty as possible. This means
there is less chance of your child vomiting during or after sedation.
The latest times you can give your child anything to eat or drink are:
6 hours before: a light non-fatty meal like cereal/toast. Bottle fed babies can have
formula feed
4 hours before: babies can have breast milk
2 hours before: all children and babies can have a drink of water or squash.
At the hospital:
A doctor or a nurse will talk to you before the test and ask about your child’s general
health, any previous sedation your child may have had, any medicines your child is
taking and check if your child has any allergies.
Occasionally the doctor will learn something about your child that means it would not
be safe to carry out the sedation that day. If this happens another appointment will
be arranged for you.
Your child will be given the medication on the ward as it takes some time to take
effect. The nurse will encourage your child to lie down in a dark room to help the
medicine take effect.
A nurse will accompany you and your child to the department where the test will take
place. Your child will be closely monitored by the nurse during the test or treatment –
ensuring your child is safe and comfortable.
After the test or treatment your child will return to the ward. A nurse will continue to
monitor your child until the sedation has worn off, they have eaten and drank a small
amount and they are safe to go home. On discharge, the nurse will give you advice
about what to expect and how long it will take for the full effects of the sedation to
wear off.
Any results from a test or treatment will be discussed with you at your next
outpatients’ appointment.
If you are worried about your child for any reason after being in the hospital, please
phone 01625 661080 and ask to speak to the nurse in charge on the Children’s
Ward who will be happy to give further advice.
Contact: 01625 421000 www.eastcheshire.nhs.uk
Leaflet Ref: 11422
Published: 10/15
t @eastcheshirenhs
t @echonhscharity
Review: 10/18
Page 3
Patient Information Leaflet
For further information on the references and sources used for this leaflet, please contact
01625 661184.
Comments, compliments or complaints
We welcome any suggestions you have about the quality of our
care and our services. Contact us: Freephone: 0800 1613997
Phone:
01625 661449
Textphone: 01625 663723 Customer Care, Reception,
Macclesfield District General Hospital, Victoria Road,
SK10 3BL
For large print, audio, Braille version or translation, contact
Communications and Engagement on 0800 195 4194.
East Cheshire NHS Trust operates a smoke-free policy
(including e-cigarettes)
For advice on stopping smoking please contact our Stop Smoking
Service on 0800 085 8818.
East Cheshire NHS Trust
does not tolerate any form of
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committed to ensuring that
patients, staff and the public
are treated fairly, with dignity
and respect.
We welcome user reviews of our leaflets. Please share your comments, reviews and
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Contact: 01625 421000 www.eastcheshire.nhs.uk
Leaflet Ref: 11422
Published: 10/15
t @eastcheshirenhs
t @echonhscharity
Review: 10/18
Page 4