title: [Potential neurotoxicity of general anaesthetics to the developing brain].
abstract: Animal studies (including non-human primates) have shown that most general anaesthetics cause enhanced neuroapoptosis with subsequent long-term neurocognitive deficits later in life. Some human cohort studies have indicated an association between anaesthesia/surgery and adverse neurocognitive outcome whereas other studies have not. Overall, the data do not justify any change in paediatric anaesthetic clinical practice. Naturally, the risks and benefits of a procedure should always be carefully considered before exposing a child to general anaesthesia.
authors.affiliation: Anæstesiologisk-intensiv Afdeling V, Odense Universitetshospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense C. nicola@nicola.dk.
authors.forename: Nicola G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Clausen
authors.forename: Søren
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Venø
authors.forename: Mads
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Astvad
authors.forename: Steen W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Henneberg
authors.forename: Kaare
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: Tom G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Hansen
mesh_terms: D018681:Anesthetics, General / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity*; D032761:Animal Experimentation; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000139:chemically induced*; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013569:Synapses / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D018681:Anesthetics, General