Neuropsychological, behavioral outcomes after exposure of young children to general anesthesia

Editor's Note

This study from the Mayo Clinic of children undergoing general anesthesia before age 3 supports earlier findings of no significant impact on intelligence. However, multiple exposures may be tied to behavioral or learning difficulties.

In this analysis of 997 children (411 unexposed, 380 singly exposed, 206 multiply exposed) the primary outcome of intelligence quotient did not differ significantly according to exposure. Multiply exposed and singly exposed children scored 1.3 and 0.5 points lower, respectively, than unexposed children.

For secondary outcomes, processing speed and fine motor abilities were decreased in multiply but not singly exposed children, and parents of these children reported increased problems with executive function, behavior, and reading.

The researchers note they are still not certain whether anesthesia itself is causing the negative impact they see or if there is something else at play, but the study raises new questions about the impact of repeated exposures on specific areas of brain function.