To identify the predictors of pre operative anxiety in children and to correlate the baseline preoperative anxiety with anxiety at parental separation and induction of anesthesia in children.

This observational study included children aged 7-12 years who were scheduled for elective surgery at a tertiary care teaching hospital and their parents. Anxiety of the child and parent was assessed using STAI-C and STAI-P questionnaire respectively in the preoperative period. The child\'s anxiety at the time of parental separation and induction of anesthesia was assessed using m-YPAS scale. Parent also completed Aggarwal scale to assess socioeconomic status of family

Sixty school going children completed the study. Parental anxiety(p value=<0.001) and socioeconomic background (p value=<0.001) we\'re found statistically significant predictors of child\'s anxiety in preoperative period. The magnitude and incidence of anxiety in the child was found to escalate from baseline 48% to 72% at parental separation which further increased to 95% at anesthesia induction. Birth order and child\'s temperament were found to be related to increased anxiety of child before surgery. Higher scoring of self reported anxiety levels and presence of more than 5 people around the child at the time of induction were found to decrease the child\'s compliance for induction.

Parental anxiety and socioeconomic background, and the child\'s birth order and temperament are significant predictors of increased anxiety in children undergoing elective surgery. Identification of these factors may help the attending anesthesiologist to formulate an appropriate strategy to allay the preoperative anxiety in children.