Key result
General anesthesia in children under 4 linked to later neurodevelopmental deficits.
Why the study?
Does general anesthesia cause neurodevelopmental deficits in neonates, infants, and young children compared to regional anesthesia?
Population
Neonates, infants, and small children (between late gestation and 3 to 4 years of age)
Comparison
General anesthesia vs Regional anesthesia (including spinal anesthesia)
Design
Review
Authors
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Supports ongoing trials of general versus regional anesthesia in young children; leaves open causality and practice implications.
Does general anesthesia cause neurodevelopmental deficits in neonates, infants, and young children compared to regional anesthesia?
Accumulating preclinical evidence of anesthesia-related neurotoxicity in young children has prompted major ongoing clinical trials to determine the safety of general versus regional anesthesia.
Nancheva et al. (2016) conducted a review in Anesthesia exposure in pediatric patients. General anesthesia vs. Regional anesthesia or no anesthesia was evaluated. Accumulating preclinical and retrospective clinical data suggest that exposure to general anesthesia in children under 4 years old may be associated with later neurodevelopmental deficits.
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