Anesthesia in Children Could Cause Learning Disabilities
Health concerns abound in this age of information – never before has there been a situation where there is so much information available to the individual. Too much information can be a bad thing though and there are many instances where people have relied on incorrect information and the consequences are dangerous. The question arises then as to who do you trust as a patient, the doctor is probably the best port of call. That seems true until you learn about an issue such as this – a new study that suggests that children under the age of three who have been anesthetized more than once could be vulnerable to learning disabilities.
This shocking information comes as the result of the first human study to show that there could be an association. The researchers have said that they are not out to cause sensation in the industry, but surely parents should be worried. Again the question is raised here, can this research be trusted, what makes this information more valid or reliable than previous sources?
Researchers say that they have uncovered an association between learning disabilities and children who have been anesthetized more than once before they are three years old. They are quick to add though that they are not sure if there is a direct link. Given that this is the first human study, researchers looked to the results of animal research as well which has indeed shown that anesthesia could have an impact on the development of the brain. At this early stage in a child’s development, the brain is very vulnerable to external materials and the anesthesia could well have a permanent effect on the child and result in issues such as learning disabilities and behavioural problems.
The key is now to find out if there is indeed a direct link between the anesthesia and the resulting problems. There is another argument which suggests that it could just be as a result of the trauma of going through surgery – which is very dramatic for a child that young. The situation is exacerbated if the child is constantly ill and has to go through several surgical procedures. This is enough of itself to cause damage.
It remains to be seen what future research says, but if the result is the same then there needs to be reliable information that can be used by parents to protect their children from possible problems in future.
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