title: General anesthesia in the pediatric population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article reviews the pertinent perioperative, intraoperative, and short- and long-term postoperative risks associated with general anesthesia in children undergoing ocular surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Animal studies suggest an association between general anesthesia and neurodevelopmental delay; however, animal pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics do not directly correlate with human metrics. Retrospective human studies present conflicting data. Further, prospective studies in humans are underway, with projected results available within the next 3-5 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All surgeons should be aware of current practices in pediatric anesthetic care, as well as the immediate- and long-term risks of general anesthesia. Ophthalmologists with pediatric patients should be aware of the potentially life-threatening conditions associated with general anesthesia. Additionally, the relative lifelong risks and benefits of general anesthetic exposure should be considered when recommending surgery, especially in light of the child's age, health status, and necessity of multiple anesthetic events.
authors.affiliation: aBascom Palmer Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 900 NW 17th Street, Miami, Florida 33136, USA. bBascom Palmer Eye Institute, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 900 NW 17th Street, Miami, Florida 33136, USA.
authors.forename: Kara M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Cavuoto
authors.forename: Luis I
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tutiven
authors.forename: Ta C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000139:chemically induced; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000379:methods*; D019990:Perioperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications