Research suggests anesthetics could have long-term impact on children's brains

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-02/uot-rsa022515.php

Public Release: 25-Feb-2015
University of Toronto

A group of anesthesiologists and toxicologists today issued a caution to parents and health care professionals about the use of general anesthetics in children.

Each year millions of infants, toddlers and preschool children require anesthesia or sedation for various procedures. The University of Toronto's Professor Beverley Orser and a team of anesthesiology investigators and toxicologists have analyzed existing animal and human studies for the impact of anesthetics on the developing brain. Animal studies provided evidence of brain injury and long-term behavioral deficits. Previous observational studies of children suggested a correlation between children who had received anesthetics and long-term cognitive impairments such as learning disabilities. Children between the ages of one and three appeared to be at a higher risk of adverse effects.

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A Consensus Statement developed by the experts recommends avoiding anesthetics for children three years and under unless they are needed for surgeries that will lead to better outcomes.

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