Dreaming during anaesthesia in children: incidence, nature and associations

Abstract

SummaryIn previous studies, the incidence of dreaming during anaesthesia in children was reported to be between 9.7% and 19%. These limited studies were performed over 15 years ago using outmoded anaesthetic techniques. No recent studies have examined the nature of dreaming or its impact on children. In this prospective cohort study of 864 children, we determined the incidence, nature, predictors and behavioural consequences of children who reported dreaming during anaesthesia. Children aged 5-12 years who had undergone general anaesthesia were interviewed for dreaming on three occasions. Dreaming was reported by 10.4% of children. The content of the dreams was mostly pleasant and unrelated to their hospital experiences. Dreaming was more common in younger children and in children who had also experienced awareness during anaesthesia. No association was found between dreaming and the anaesthetic drugs used. Dreaming was not associated with an increased risk of behavioural disturbances postoperatively. Anaesthetists should be reassured that dreaming is a common occurrence that does not appear to distress children.

Implicit Memory Formation during Routine Anesthesia in Children

“…In this study, we sought to detect children with clear explicit memory of the sheep sound so that we could exclude them from analysis. The study was not designed primarily to assess dreaming or awareness; however, our observed overall incidence of dreaming (7.3%) was similar to that reported by Huang et al, 22 (10.4%) and the incidence of "possible awareness" was similar to the "preadjudicator reports" in other studies (1.5 7 to 2.2% 5 ). Importantly, there was no independent adjudication of awareness and only one interview was conducted; thus, we cannot comment on the "true" rate of awareness in this study.…”

A cohort study of the incidence and risk factors for negative behavior changes in children after general anesthesia

“…A subpopulation of children in this cohort was also assessed for awareness and dreaming under anesthesia. These data have been published elsewhere (23,24).…”

Risk factors for anxiety at induction of anesthesia in children: a prospective cohort study

“…A subpopulation of children in this cohort was also assessed for awareness and dreaming under anesthesia. These data have been published elsewhere (6,7).…”