Mayo Clinic researchers have found that children who require multiple surgeries under anesthesia during their first three years of life are at higher risk to develop learning disabilities later. Several studies have suggested that anesthetic drugs may cause abnormalities in the brains of young animals. This is the first study in humans to suggest that exposure of children to anesthesia may have similar consequences. The finding is reported in the current issue of the journal Anesthesiology.
The research team, led by Robert Wilder, M.D., found that although one exposure to anesthesia was not harmful, more than one exposure almost doubled the risk that the children would be identified as having a learning disability before they were 19. The risk also increased with longer durations of anesthesia.
“It’s very important for parents and families to understand that although we see a clear difference in the frequency of learning disabilities in children exposed to anesthesia, we don’t know whether these differences are actually caused by anesthesia,” says Randall Flick, M.D., a co-author of the study.
“The problem is that anyone who underwent an anesthetic also had surgery,” says Dr. Wilder. “It’s unclear whether it’s the anesthetic, the physiological stress of surgery, or perhaps the medical problems that made surgery necessary that are responsible for the learning disabilities.”
Below is a link to an edited youtube video with Dr. Flick and Dr. Wilder.
One Comment
To Dr. Wilder et.al.,
I just like to extend my sincerest appreciation and thanks to the research team, especially Dr. Wilder (Mayo clinic anesthesia study). Research initiatives and consequent information it generates greatly helps parents like me in deciding whether to let their young children go through an operation or postpone it. Sad to say, such important information is not considered in the equation in the decision process with medical doctors(at least in our case).
My daughter has a ganglion cyst since she was 1 year old which has grown bigger at age 2. Her pediatrician recommended surgical removal. So we went to an orthopedic surgeon and he scheduled a surgery. Minor as it is, the surgery would entail her to be put under general anesthesia. I was not so keen on it so I did some internet search for other options and found your study (and other animal studies). Since the condition is not life threatening in any way and doesn’t impede in our duaghters day to day activity, my husband and I decidied to postone it for the time being in line with this recent finding. It is in this cases where such information is helpful and has tipped the scale in the side of caution.
Are there recent development on this?
Lene
Philippines