Effect of Anesthesia in Early Childhood on Later Cognition

Animal studies suggest that anesthesia may have adverse effects on neurons, brain structure, and even learning. Using data from a study of language development that included brain magnetic resonance imaging, researchers compared cognitive function and brain structure in 53 neurologically normal children (age range, 5 to 18 years) who underwent surgery with anesthesia before age 4 years and 53 unexposed controls matched for age, sex, handedness, and socioeconomic status.

Exposed children typically underwent surgery during their second year of life, and most underwent an ear-nose-throat procedure. Most patients were exposed to volatile anesthetics and nitrous oxide, with a mean exposure time of about 30 minutes. No remarkable intraoperative co…