FDA: New warning on general anesthesia and sedation in children, pregnant women

Editor's Note

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on December 14 issued a new warning saying that repeated or lengthy use of general anesthetics and sedation drugs during surgical procedures in children younger than 3 years or pregnant women during the third trimester may affect the development of children’s brains.

Published studies in pregnant animals and young animals have shown the use of general anesthetic and sedation drugs for more than 3 hours causes widespread loss of nerve cells in the brain. The studies in young animals suggest these changes result in long-term effects on their behavior or learning.

Studies also have been conducted in children, some of which support findings from the animal studies, particularly after repeated or prolonged exposure to these drugs early in life.

The FDA is requiring warnings to be added to the labels of general anesthetic and sedation drugs and will update the public if additional information becomes available.

Posted 12/14/2016] AUDIENCE: Consumer, Surgery, Anesthesiology ISSUE: FDA is warning that repeated or lengthy use of general anesthetic and sedation drugs during surgeries or procedures in children younger than 3 years or in pregnant women during their third trimester may affect the development of children's brains.