BACKGROUND: Potential benefits from parental presence during induction of anesthesia (PPIA) include reducing the need for preoperative sedatives and avoiding fear and anxiety that may occur on separation to the operating room (OR). In addition, the purpose of PPIA includes concern about possible adverse reactions of parents. The purpose of this study was to evaluate parental satisfaction after PPIA. METHODS: Subjects were obtained by approaching all parents of children from 1 to 7 years admitted for elective surgery. Ninety four pediatric patients were accompanied by their parents to the OR and then their anxiety level was checked. For anesthetic induction, intravenous thiopental sodium or sevoflurane with a mask was administrated. A questionnaire was given to parents after anesthesia and the operation to check the satisfaction of their presence. RESULTS: Over eighty eight percent of parents were satisfied with their presence with their children. However, there were no significant differences between parental satisfaction and the anxiety level of children, type of anesthetic induction or attempts of venipuncture. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the participation in induction of anesthesia in pediatrics may be effective in not only relieving anxiety of children but also increasing parental satisfaction.