Anesthesia

Our pediatric anesthesia team specializes in managing your child's anxiety before surgery, assuring safety during surgery, and alleviating pain following procedures.

Request an Appointment

For all requests:

1-888-573-5437

What is anesthesia?

The University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital pediatric anesthesia team specializes in managing your child’s anxiety before surgery, assuring safety during surgery, and alleviating pain following procedures.

These doctors and certified registered nurse anesthetists care for children from premature newborns to adolescents. Pediatric anesthesia team members are specially trained to care for children and their specific needs during surgeries and medical procedures. Depending on the type of procedure your child is having, our anesthesiologists use different medicines to make sure your child stays comfortable, relaxed, and still.

The pediatric anesthesia team also monitors, maintains, and protects the vital functions of the heart, lungs, and brain during complex procedures, and specializes in providing anesthesia and sedation to children born with congenital heart disease.

Learn more about different types of anesthesia

The best anesthesia for your child depends on his or her health, the type of surgery they are having, what the surgeons need to do their work, and what your family wants.

Presurgical Evaluation Clinic

Health care professionals in the presurgical evaluation clinic evaluate your child and his or her medical history to determine if it is safe for your child to undergo a procedure that includes anesthesia. Trained staff members will speak with your family regarding anesthesia options, including any possible risks and complications.

To speak with a doctor or nurse regarding questions about anesthesia, call 1-319-356-4554.

Respiratory illness in the weeks preceding a surgery is a concern.

For your child's safety, if your child demonstrates any signs or symptoms of a cough, cold, or respiratory illness, please contact us to determine whether or not the procedure may need to be postponed. Signs and symptoms may include the following: cough, runny nose, fever, poor appetite, and disrupted sleep patterns.

Our Services

Outpatient Surgery

Surgery of any kind brings with it a certain amount of anxiety--even for the in-and-out experience of same-day surgery. The UI Ambulatory Surgery Center brings together a health care team that offers dedicated, patient-focused care to help alleviate that anxiety.

Pediatric Comprehensive Pain Clinic

University of Stead Family Children’s Hospital is home to Iowa’s only pediatric comprehensive pain services.

Anesthesiologist