We understand that anesthesia can be frightening for both children and their parents. Our pediatric anesthesia providers offer experienced care for your little ones, as well as the emotional support your family needs.
Pediatric anesthesia ensures neonates, infants, and children receive safe anesthesia that keeps them comfortable during surgical and diagnostic procedures. With specialized training in pediatrics, our anesthesiologists and CRNAs care for your children as they undergo a comprehensive range of procedures, including:
- Neurosurgery
- Organ transplant
- Orthopedic surgery
- Trauma
Whether your child needs surgery or a procedure that requires them to be motionless, such as an MRI, our pediatric anesthesia team can design a plan to keep your child comfortable and safe.
Our pediatric anesthesia providers
We believe your child’s anesthesia plan should be as unique as they are. That’s why we work closely with other specialists in outpatient and inpatient settings to provide anesthesia and pain management services that best meet your child’s needs.
When your child needs surgery, you can expect a pediatric anesthesia team member to be there for:
- Consultations before surgery to review medical history, options, benefits, and risks
- The entire procedure to monitor your child’s vital signs and pain
- Care after surgery to manage their pain or discomfort
What to expect
After arriving for your child’s procedure, your anesthesiologist or CRNA will meet with you and your doctor in the preoperative area to discuss the plan to manage your child’s anesthesia. From beginning to end, your pediatric anesthesia team will partner with you to understand your concerns and answer any questions you have.
Our pediatric anesthesia team ensures:
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Parents are allowed to accompany children during the initial administration of the anesthetic
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Parents are informed and prepared for the procedure, treatment, and pain relief options
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A focus on the reduction of your child’s anxiety, with conversation and appropriate levels of anesthesia
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A safe, comfortable environment while providing a caring experience for your child
Learn More About the Day of Procedure
Once ready for treatment, your child’s pediatric anesthesia team will administer the anesthesia based on the plan you developed together. Depending on the procedure, your care team may use one of the following types of anesthesia:
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General anesthesia – Results in a loss of consciousness and sensation
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Monitored sedation – An injection into a vein or muscle to dull pain
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Regional anesthesia – An injection of local anesthetic provides numbness, loss of pain, or loss of sensation to a large region of the body. This type includes techniques such as spinal anesthesia, epidural anesthesia, and arm and leg nerve blocks
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Local – An injection under the skin that results in numbness to a small area of the body
Learn More About Types of Anesthesia
During the procedure, your anesthesia team will use state-of-the-art monitoring techniques and intervene when necessary to ensure your child’s safety and comfort. After the procedure, your child will be transferred to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), where our pediatric anesthesia team will monitor and provide relief for any pain and discomfort. Your child’s safety is our top priority.
Questions to ask your anesthesia team
Our pediatric anesthesia providers will help you and your family understand safe and effective methods for minimizing your child’s pain and discomfort. As you and your child prepare for anesthesia, you may want to ask your anesthesia team the following questions:
- What type of anesthesia is best for my child?
- May I be present when the anesthesia is administered?
- How soon after surgery can I see my child?
- How long will it take for the anesthetic to wear off?
Our providers
Expert anesthesiology care
Getting the care you need starts with seeing one of our anesthesiologists.
Our locations
Distance from Change locationEnter your location
MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center
9000 Franklin Square Dr. Baltimore, MD 21237
MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital
5601 Loch Raven Blvd. Baltimore, MD 21239
MedStar Harbor Hospital
3001 S. Hanover St. Baltimore, MD 21225
MedStar Union Memorial Hospital
201 E. University Pkwy. Baltimore, MD 21218
MedStar Montgomery Medical Center
18101 Prince Philip Dr. Olney, MD 20832
MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center
7503 Surratts Rd. Clinton, MD 20735
MedStar St Mary's Hospital
25500 Point Lookout Rd. Leonardtown, MD 20650
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
3800 Reservoir Rd. NW Washington, DC, 20007
MedStar Washington Hospital Center
110 Irving St. NW Washington, DC 20010