Dreaming during anaesthesia in children: incidence, nature and associations

Abstract

In 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.