Pediatric Sedation
At OSF HealthCare Children's Hospital of Illinois, we offer pediatric sedation tailored to your child’s needs and are here to guide you through the entire pediatric procedural sedation process. Our team specializes in helping children with anxiety, autism or sensory sensitivities complete their procedures with ease.
What is sedation?
Children’s sedation is a safe, controlled way to help your child stay calm and still during medical procedures. Depending on their needs, it can help them feel drowsy, relaxed or even sleep while breathing on their own. By reducing pain, anxiety and stress, sedation creates the best conditions for a safe, comfortable and successful procedure.
What to Expect at Your Child’s Sedation
A care team will assess your child and explain the sedation plan. While under pediatric sedation, your child will not feel pain but may make sounds or move slightly. Our team will closely monitor your child’s breathing, heart rate and comfort throughout.
Meet Your Care Team
Your pediatric sedation team includes highly trained doctors, nurses and specialists who are experienced in keeping your child safe and comfortable. We work closely with pediatric specialists across our hospital to ensure seamless care for your child.
Common Procedures That May Use Children’s Sedation
We provide hospital sedation for a variety of medical tests and treatments, including:
- Blood draws and lab tests
- Dental procedures, including minor tooth extractions
- Emergency care procedures
- Hearing screenings
- MRI, CT scans, PET scans and EEGs
- Inserting PICC lines and midlines
Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC)
If your child needs a PICC line or midline, our pediatric sedation team ensures the process is as comfortable as possible.
Different Types of Sedation Your Child May Have
Your child may receive medication by mouth, IV or inhalation (laughing gas, nasal spray), depending on the procedure. Our pediatric procedural sedation options include:
- Minimal sedation: Your child is awake but relaxed.
- Moderate sedation: Your child may be drowsy but can respond if needed.
- Deep sedation: Your child is in a sleep-like state but still breathing on their own.
- General anesthesia: Your child is completely unconscious and monitored by an anesthesiologist.
Deep Sedation vs General Anesthesia
Deep sedation and general anesthesia are both used for medical procedures, but they have key differences:
- With deep sedation, your child is very sleepy but still breathing naturally.
- With general anesthesia, your child is fully unconscious and requires breathing support.
We’ll talk with you about the safest and most effective option for your child’s procedure.
Contact Your Child’s Primary Care Provider
Think sedation may help your child with their procedure? Contact your child’s provider and see if sedation is right for your child.
Featured Providers
Keith A. Hanson, MD
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