Anaesthesia-related neurotoxicity in the developing brain has been observed in animal models and suggested by observational human trials. Conclusive, quality evidence directing significant practice change is however lacking. Anaesthetists should be aware of the current evidence and future directions of research into this important area.

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• M E McCann and S G Soriano.
• Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
• Br J Anaesth. 2012 Dec 1;109 Suppl 1:i60-i67.

AbstractAnaesthetic-induced developmental neurotoxicity (AIDN) has been clearly established in laboratory animal models. The possibility of neurotoxicity during uneventful anaesthetic procedures in human neonates or infants has led to serious questions about the safety of paediatric anaesthesia. However, the applicability of animal data to clinical anaesthesia practice remains uncertain. The spectre of cerebral injury due to cerebral hypoperfusion, metabolic derangements, coexisting disease, and surgery itself further muddles the picture. Given the potential magnitude of the public health importance of this issue, the clinician should be cognisant of the literature and ongoing investigations on AIDN, and raise awareness of the risks of both surgery and anaesthesia.

This article appears in the collection: Is anaesthesia-related neurotoxicity significant in young children?.

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