SummaryThis stuclqj attempts to identijy the incidence and specific sources of anxiety in the parents of children udniitted to hospital focused on how parental attitudes may contribute to the child's response in this situation [I, 2,6], rather than on the detrimental effects upon the parents themselves and the potential for the development of stress-induced psychological illness states.The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of clinically significant anxiety and its specific sources in a group of parents whose children were to undergo elective surgery. We attempted to identify factors which would allow the identification of 'high-risk' parents, and to establish useful ameliorative measures. Subjects and methodsThe study was conducted at the Duchess of Kent Children's Hospital, Hong Kong. Those eligible for admission to the study were the accompanying parents of any child of 13 years of age or less admitted for elective general, orthopaedic, or dental surgery. Parents were recruited only on those days when a bilingual Cantonese/English interviewer was available (either a member of the nursing staff or one of the authors [L.C.]) and parents of all children admitted on these days were approached. When a child was accompanied by both parents only one was recruited, if applicable the parent staying in hospital with the child.Assessment took place after the parents and children had completed a ward familiarisation programme, but before pre-operative visits by medical staff. Parents were given an explanation of the study and issued with the study questionnaire to be completed and returned to the interviewer, who drew their attention to any omissions.The assessment questionnaire consisted of four sections. The first collected demographic data (Appendix I); the second consisted of the Leeds Self-Assessment of Depression and Anxiety questionnaire [7]; the third and fourth N. Thompson

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This randomised double-blind study compares the onset, quality and duration of analgesia in two groups of children (n = 30), aged between two and twelve years undergoing circumcision. Under concurrent general anaesthesia, the children received caudal anaesthesia employing either lignocaine 2% with adrenaline 1:200,000 plus normal saline 0.01 mllkg, or lignocaine 2% with adrenaline 1:200,000 plus fentanyl 1.0 microgramlkg. The results show no statistical or clinical difference in the onset, duration, quality of pain relief, or side-effects between the two solutions.