Sridevi Pandya Shah
Rutgers University-New Jersey Medical School, USA
Title: Anesthesia and developing brain...what is the risk..
Biography
Biography: Sridevi Pandya Shah
Abstract
Almost half a million babies are born prematurely (< 37 weeks gestation) e ach year in the United States. Preterm infants are subject to hospitalization, and surgery is often required to sustain life. Anesthesia for obstetric and pediatric surgery is unavoidable as pregnant mothers and newborn infants with life-threatening conditions can require surgery or prolonged stay in the intensive care unit. Although, brain development begins during the last trimester of intrauterine life, the human brain is not fully developed at birth and continues to grow over the first couple of years of postnatal life.
The delayed effects of anesthetics are not well known because potential interventions cannot be studied directly in humans. Given current findings, the Federal Drug Agency (FDA) has provided preliminary recommendations stating that, if possible, anesthesia should be postponed until the child is at least 6 months of age. Consequently, there exists a need for ongoing research to further elucidate safer anesthetic agents and techniques.
Herewith, I would like to bring up topics of concern when children are exposed to anesthetics, when they are considered vulnerable to toxic effects of anesthesia.