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Multiple Exposures to Anaesthesia Linked to Learning Disabilities in Children ROCHESTER, Minn. -- Children who require multiple surgeries under anaesthesia during their first 3 years of life are at higher risk of developing learning disabilities later, according to a study published in the April issue of the journal Anesthesiology. Several studies have suggested that anaesthetic drugs may cause abnormalities in the brains of young animals, but this is the first study in humans to suggest that exposure of children to anesthesia may have similar consequences. Using data from the long-term Rochester Epidemiology Project, Robert Wilder, MD, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, and colleagues studied the medical records of 5,357 children from Olmsted County, New York who were born between 1976 and 1982. The researchers found that although 1 exposure to anaesthesia was not harmful, more than 1 exposure almost doubled the risk that a child would be identified as having a learning disability before age 19. The risk also increased with longer durations of anaesthesia. "It's very important for parents and families to understand that although we see a clear difference in the frequency of learning disabilities in children exposed to anaesthesia, we don't know whether these differences are actually caused by anaesthesia," said coauthor Randall Flick, MD, Mayo Clinic. "The problem is that anyone who underwent an anaesthetic also had surgery," said Dr. Wilder. "It's unclear whether it's the anaesthetic, the physiological stress of surgery or perhaps the medical problems that made surgery necessary that are responsible for the learning disabilities." The general anaesthesia chemicals in use during the study period were primarily halothane and nitrous oxide. Although halothane is no longer used in the US, it has been replaced by newer agents that have similar effects on the brain. The children in the study were tested as a natural part of the educational process in the Rochester school system. They did not perform as well in reading, writing or math as indicated by their IQ tests. Other studies have linked anesthesia exposure in young children to behavioural problems. Dr. Flick said the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is aware of the possible problems with anesthesia. "They've been very proactive in trying to gather information as quickly and thoughtfully as possible but much more research is needed before we could conclude that anaesthesia itself causes problems," said Dr. Flick. SOURCE: Mayo Clinic E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version