After the procedure, which may last 10 minutes to an hour, the child is immediately awakened. Because of the way the sedation is given, many children begin to wake up just as the study is completed. Usually, the child is fully awake and alert within 30 to 40 minutes or less. Because of the nature of the medication, there are no lasting effects after the child is awakened. However, many children will feel drowsy even though they are awake before they are discharged.
Some young children become irritable upon waking for sedation.
This is not common and is of a brief duration typically. Also, the sedation nurse will call you at home prior to the exam to discuss the procedure with you. The nurse will make a follow-up call to you as well. You will have a number to call the radiologist or nurse if you have any problems after your child leaves our department. You may leave a voice mail message.