Before having an anesthesia, your child will need a physical examination. Your child’s doctor will review his medical history and current health.  You should also tell your doctor about any of the following that applies to your child.

• Allergies which includes allergies to food, latex (rubber) or drugs.
• All medicines  that your child is taking. You need to tell your doctor about all herbal or natural and inhaled ( breathe-in ) medicine.
• Breathing problems including  asthma , croup or wheezing. You should also let him know about any snoring and sleep apnea.
• Recent illnesses especially bad colds and fevers.
• Problems your child had as a newborn including preterm birth, breathing problems such as croup or asthma, staying in the neonatal intensive care unit or any birth defects.
• Heart problems including holes between the heart chambers, heart valve problems, heart murmurs or irregular heartbeat.
• Other medical problems your child has that required a doctor’s visit or hospital stay.
• Use of anesthesia for a past surgery or procedure.
• Past problems with anesthesia or surgery such as airway problems  or problems going to sleep or waking up from anesthesia.  You also let the doctor know about any vomiting after surgery.
• Family history of problems with anesthesia.
• Family history of bleeding problems.
• If your child has a loose teeth. Sometimes loose teeth may need to be removed during anesthesia for the child’s own safety.
• Your child may need blood tests prior to anesthesia. Other tests, such as x-rays, are also needed sometimes. Most of the time few tests, if any, are required.