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Anesthesia and Brain Development of your Child
Anesthesia and
Brain Development of Your Child (Download)
On Dec. 14, 2016 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued
a safety announcement regarding the potential effect of anesthetics
on children younger than 3 years of age. Recent studies suggest that
a single, relatively short exposure to general anesthetic and
sedation drugs in infants or toddlers is unlikely to have negative
effects on behavior or learning. To better inform the public about
this potential risk, we have taken points from the FDA’s
communication and are sharing those with families to help them make
educated decisions about the care of their young child.
Facts About General Anesthetic
and Sedation Drugs
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General anesthetic and sedation drugs are used to put infants
and children into a deep sleep so they do not feel pain during
surgery or procedures.
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These drugs are usually injected
into a vein or inhaled through a mask or breathing tube.
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General anesthetic drugs are used
in millions of children every year to ensure their health,
safety and comfort during surgery and other procedures.
Additional Information for Parents and Caregivers
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Anesthetic and sedation drugs are necessary for infants and
children who require surgery or other painful or stressful
procedures. Additionally, untreated pain can be harmful to
children and their developing nervous systems.
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Research suggests that repeated
or prolonged use of general anesthetic or sedative drugs may
have negative effects on the developing brain. These effects are
subtle and may include learning, memory, or behavior problems.
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The FDA has issued a warning that
this may affect children younger than 3 years who are undergoing
anesthesia for more than three hours, or are exposed to
repeated anesthetics.
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Recent studies in children
suggest that a single, short duration exposure to general
anesthetic and sedation drugs under age 3 years is unlikely
to have negative effects on behavior or learning.
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No specific anesthetic or
sedative medications have been shown to be safer than any other.
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Parents and caregivers should ask
for information about the planned surgery or procedure,
including the likely duration of surgery and the need, if any,
for repeated procedures. Parents should also discuss with their
child’s health care professional the potential adverse effects
of anesthesia on brain development and appropriate timing of
procedures that can be delayed without jeopardizing their
child’s health. Pregnant women should have similar conversations
with their health care professionals.
FDA Website.
https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm532356.htm?source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery