Experience with parents' presence during anaesthesia induction in children.

Parents of 50 unpremedicated children were invited to be present during induction of anaesthesia in their children. The presence of the parents resulted in a significant decrease in the number of very upset or turbulent children during the pre-induction and induction periods, when compared to a control group that was induced without the parents' participation. There was no difference in the children's behaviour in the recovery room or at home following surgery. Most parents were calm and supportive during induction, and there were no complications related to their presence. It is concluded that for some preschool children, allowing the parents to support an anxious child during anaesthesia induction can be very effective in relieving anxiety, and minimizes the need for premedication.