Does giving a general anaesthetic to a baby have long term consequences?
A new study at Murdoch Childrens Research Institute will investigate whether giving infants a general anaesthetic causes long term neurological damage.
Around five per cent of Australian children receive anesthesia during infancy, the majority receiving a general anaesthetic which has always been assumed to be safe.
Recent studies have shown that some commonly used general anaesthetics can cause brain cell death and long lasting neurological damage in young animals. A previous study showed an association between anaesthesia in infants and poor neurodevelopment in childhood. However this data is considered unreliable, as babies that undergo operations are likely to have been unwell, or premature, which can influence neurodevelopment.
Researchers Dr Andrew Davidson and Suzette Sheppard from the anaesthesia and pain management group aim to address whether the damage observed in animals, also occurs in humans. Their study will also asses the frequency, characteristics and factors associated with apnoea (stopping breathing) in the post operative period. Better understanding of apnoea in these children could lead to long term cost and safety benefits.
Study results and conclusions will be released in 2009. The study has received funding from Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Australia and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists and Boston Children's Hospital.