Emotion regulation and premedication success relationship in children who underwent general anesthesia

Abstract

Background/aim: This study aims to investigate the relationship between emotion regulation characteristics and the efficacy ofmidazolam premedication.Materials and methods: Sixty-three children, aged 3 to 8 years old, with tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy and taking premedicationwith midazolam (Group 2) or without premedication (Group 1), were included in this study. The behavioral and emotional status of thechildren was evaluated with the Conners Parent Rating Scale-48 (CPRS-48) and Emotion Regulation Checklist (ERC). Age, sex, bodyweight, response to intravenous (IV) cannulation and mask, hemodynamic data, preoperative sedation scores [Wilton Sedation Scale(WSS)], postoperative pain intensity [Objective Pain Scale (OPS)], and emergence agitation (EA) level [Pediatric Anesthesia EmergenceDelirium (PAED)] were recorded.Results: A total of 90.6% patients were quiet and sleepy in Group 2, and 25.8% in Group 1. The mean scores of OPS and PAED werehigher in Group 1, and the percentage of patients with PAED score of >10 was 51.6% in Group 1 and 18.8% in Group 2 (P < 0.05). InGroup 1, a significant correlation was found between PAED scores and WSS and the subfactors of the CPRS-48 (P < 0.05). A correlationwas found between WSS and subfactors of ERS in Group 1 (P < 0.05).Conclusion: The incidence of anxiety and postoperative EA is increased in children with emotion regulation disorder, and midazolampremedication reduced the frequency of EA.