Pediatric Anesthesia Glossary
100 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026
laryngospasm
Involuntary spasm of the laryngeal muscles causing airway obstruction, particularly common in pediatric patients during anesthesia emergence.
age-adjusted MAC
Minimum alveolar concentration values modified for pediatric patients based on age-related pharmacodynamic changes.
age-adjusted minimum inhibitory concentration
Modification of standard MIC values to account for age-related changes in neuromuscular junction sensitivity and drug me...
age-appropriate sedation scale
Sedation assessment tools modified for different pediatric developmental stages and communication abilities.
Apgar score documentation
Standardized scoring system assessed at 1 and 5 minutes after birth to evaluate neonatal condition and guide immediate c...
apnea of prematurity
Cessation of breathing for 15-20 seconds in premature infants, requiring special anesthetic considerations.
atropine
Anticholinergic medication used to treat bradycardia and reduce secretions in pediatric anesthesia.
bag-mask ventilation
Manual ventilation technique using a self-inflating bag and face mask to provide positive pressure ventilation.
Blalock-Taussig shunt
A surgical connection between systemic and pulmonary circulation used to increase pulmonary blood flow in cyanotic conge...
bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Chronic lung disease of premature infants that significantly impacts anesthetic management and respiratory care.
bronchospasm
Constriction of smooth muscle in the bronchioles causing airway obstruction, more common in pediatric patients with reac...
capnography
Continuous monitoring of exhaled carbon dioxide concentration, mandatory in pediatric anesthesia for early detection of...
caudal block
Regional anesthesia technique involving injection of local anesthetic through the sacral hiatus, commonly used for pedia...
CHEOPS scale
Behavioral pain assessment tool for children evaluating Crying, facial expression, verbal expression, torso position, le...
Circle of Willis immaturity
Incomplete development of cerebral arterial circulation in pediatric patients affecting anesthetic blood pressure manage...
COMFORT-B scale
A behavioral pain assessment tool for unconscious or sedated pediatric patients who cannot self-report pain.
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia anesthesia
Specialized anesthetic management for neonates with diaphragmatic hernia requiring careful ventilation and hemodynamic c...
congenital heart disease classification
Systematic categorization of pediatric cardiac malformations that determines anesthetic risk stratification and manageme...
corrected gestational age
Adjusted age calculation for premature infants used in determining anesthetic drug dosing and physiological expectations...
CPAP
Continuous positive airway pressure ventilation commonly used in pediatric perioperative care.
cricoid pressure
Manual pressure applied to the cricoid cartilage to prevent aspiration during rapid sequence induction.
cuffed endotracheal tube sizing
Method for determining appropriate internal diameter of cuffed endotracheal tubes in pediatric patients using age-based...
cuffed tube low pressure pediatric
Modern approach using cuffed endotracheal tubes in children with cuff pressures maintained below 20 cmH2O to prevent tra...
desflurane pediatric considerations
Special precautions for desflurane use in children due to increased airway irritability and higher rates of coughing, br...
ductal-dependent lesion
A congenital heart defect where adequate circulation depends on blood flow through the patent ductus arteriosus.