Anesthesia can Pose a Danger to Kids Younger Than Three

Highlights

Lengthy use of general anesthetic drugs during long surgical procedures can lead to possible improper brain development in children younger than three years
FDA issues a black box warning on anesthetic drugs
Anesthesia exposure during the first three years of life--a critical time for brain development can be harmful

Surgery, if possible should be delayed until after three years,delaying the surgery until after age one year may avoid most of the risks.

Repeated Anesthesia Exposure During Early Life May Impair Visual Recognition Memory
Visual recognition memory impairment could occur as a result of repeated exposure to a common anesthesia, finds a new study.

‘Lengthy use of general anesthetic and sedation drugs during surgeries or procedures in children younger than three years can lead to possible improper brain development.’

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Prolonged anesthesia administration may pose as possible threat to brain development in children under the age of three, FDA issues an evidence based black box warning on the drugs in the October issue of Plastic and Reconstructive //Surgery.//

Elective plastic and reconstructive surgery procedures lasting more than three hours can be delayed until after age three. According to the special topic paper by Dr. Christopher Armen Derderian of University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, and colleagues. If surgery can't be delayed, strategies to reduce the child's anesthesia exposure are recommended.

Risks of Anesthesia in Infants and Young Children

Surgical Anesthesia During Early Childhood Linked to Lower IQ Scores as Teens
A small link has been identified between exposure to anesthesia for surgery before the age 4 with slightly lower school grades at age 16 and slightly lower IQ scores at 18.

Late last year, the FDA issued a Drug Safety Communication warning saying that repeated or lengthy use of general anesthetic and sedation drugs during surgeries or procedures in children younger than three years or pregnant women during their third trimester may affect the development of children's brains.

This included adding a "black box warning" for several widely used anesthetic and sedative drugs. Dr. Derderian and colleagues provide an introduction to the evidence behind the FDA safety warning, how to discuss the risks with parents and steps to avoid or reduce exposure.

The FDA warning is based largely on studies in rats and other animals suggesting that prolonged exposure to anesthetic drugs in early life can have adverse effects on brain development.

These studies raised concerns about the possible harmful effects of general anesthetics on the developing human brain. The warning focuses on repeated exposure to anesthesia, or exposure lasting longer than three hours.There is particular concern about exposure during the first three years of life--a critical time for brain development.

Anesthesia, Surgery in Healthy Infants Reduces Volume and Integrity of White Matter
General anesthesia and surgery in healthy infants under the age of 1 year old could be associated with decreases in the amount of white matter in the brain.

Fortunately, most surgeries in this age group are less than three hours. The safety warning acknowledges that there are many situations where surgery in infants and young children cannot be avoided.

In plastic and reconstructive surgery, cleft lip and palate repair are specified as a procedure that usually needs to be performed before age 3 to achieve optimal results.

Intensive research is ongoing to clarify the potential harmful effects of anesthesia on the developing brain. Some studies using population databases have linked anesthesia exposure to adverse outcomes such as learning disabilities, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD) and lower performance on standardized tests. Other studies have found no such effects, after accounting for other risk factors.

Formal studies are being performed to clarify the risks of anesthesia exposure during early childhood, but the final results won't be available for several years. Dr. Derderian said, "How do we deal with this potential risk until there is evidence?"

While it's not always clear whether early anesthesia versus delayed surgery poses the greater risk, the authors suggest that surgery should be delayed until after three years--if doing so will not cause any additional harm to the child. If possible, delaying surgery until after age one year may avoid most of the risks.

The authors also outline measures to reduce risk, including alternative strategies to reduce the amount of general anesthetic drugs required. Studies are underway to evaluate approaches including a sedative called dexmedetomidine, which may have protective effects on the brain.

In the meantime, Dr. Derderian and colleagues hope their article will help surgeons to understand the potential risks of anesthesia exposure in infants and young children. It also will provide guidance in communicating with parents about the current state of understanding of these risks, including the uncertainty involved. At this time, the authors conclude, "It is reasonable to say that we don't really know what the risk of longer or multiple anesthetics is."

Source-Eurekalert