Infants and very young children who are exposed to anesthesia may experience higher rates of learning disabilities and cognitive difficulties than children who are not, according to research presented during the SmartTots: Pediatric Anesthesia Neurotoxicity panel at the International Anesthesia Research Society annual meeting in Vancouver.
Merle Paule, PhD, director of the Division of Neurotoxicology at the National Center for Toxicological Research in Jefferson, Ark., discussed his findings that a single 24-hour episode of ketamine anesthesia results in long-lasting deficits in brain function for non-human primates. Dr. Paule said these findings show that general anesthesia during critical periods of brain development can result in deficits.
Randall Flick, MD, MPH, associate professor of anesthesiology and pediatrics at the Mayo Clinic, presented findings from a recent study to the Mayo Clinic, which concluded that multiple exposures to anesthesia before the age of two are a "significant risk factor" for the development of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. According to Dr. Flick's study, children younger than four years who were exposed to anesthesia for 120 minutes or longer at least twice are at high risk of ADHD.
According to Dr. Flick, the study showed no significant effect on children who underwent a single anesthetic exposure.
Read the News-Medical report on anesthesia in children.
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Merle Paule, PhD, director of the Division of Neurotoxicology at the National Center for Toxicological Research in Jefferson, Ark., discussed his findings that a single 24-hour episode of ketamine anesthesia results in long-lasting deficits in brain function for non-human primates. Dr. Paule said these findings show that general anesthesia during critical periods of brain development can result in deficits.
Randall Flick, MD, MPH, associate professor of anesthesiology and pediatrics at the Mayo Clinic, presented findings from a recent study to the Mayo Clinic, which concluded that multiple exposures to anesthesia before the age of two are a "significant risk factor" for the development of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. According to Dr. Flick's study, children younger than four years who were exposed to anesthesia for 120 minutes or longer at least twice are at high risk of ADHD.
According to Dr. Flick, the study showed no significant effect on children who underwent a single anesthetic exposure.
Read the News-Medical report on anesthesia in children.
Related Articles on Anesthesia:
Effect of Self-Citations on Anesthesia Journals' Impact Factor Declines
Study Assesses Risk Factors for Perioperative Stroke
Researchers Pair Pulse Oximeter With Mobile Phone to Improve Anesthesia Safety