Anxiety in children prior to general anaesthesia is common, with up to half displaying distress. Anxiety and distress may lead to unsuccessful anaesthesia, together with greater postoperative pain, agitation and behavioural changes after surgery including sleep disturbances. Midazolam is the current standard premedication; however, it has adverse effects such as the potential for respiratory suppression and unpredictable effects which may result in agitation rather than anxiolysis. Melatonin is an alternative preoperative anxiolytic; however, previous trials have delivered conflicting results. The aim of this non-inferiority trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of melatonin compared to midazolam in reducing anxiety in children undergoing general anaesthesia.
