Anesthesia and Young Brains Contact Hour Keeley Hall, BA and Anne Derouin, DNP, APRN, CPNP, FAANP Abstract: Millions of children undergo anesthesia each year, medications. He lives with his parents and one older and although some surgeries are medically necessary, the possi- sibling who is healthy. His diet and elimination are ble neurocognitive benefits of delaying elective surgeries in normal, and he has met developmental milestones. young pediatric patients need to be discussed between families and healthcare professionals as repeated or prolonged exposure Examination to anesthesia in children less than 3 years old may negatively affect The child has normal vital signs; length, head cir- brain development. Nurses must be aware of the U.S. Food and cumference, and weight were all in the 60th percentile. Drug Administration recommendation and evolving research as During the examination, the infant appears vigorous they serve a key role in educating and supporting families through the perioperative process. This article discusses the recent U.S. and active by pulling up to stand, crawling, and scooting Food and Drug Administration statement recommendations and across the examination table. He is babbling and reaching its implications in clinical practice. for toys and attentive to both parents and the healthcare KEY WORDS: anesthesia, brain development, surgery team. The physical examination is normal other than right foot inversion and forefoot rigidity (no cast or splint is currently being used), the left leg is measured one- CASE STUDY fourth inch longer than the right. Pedal pulses are easily palpated; toes are warm to touch and mobile. A 14-month-old boy with right equinovarus (club foot) The surgeon and healthcare team conclude that the and mild leg-length discrepancy is being seen with his infant is healthy and will benefit from surgical correc- caregivers for consultation on elective surgical repair. tion of the foot deformity but suggest that the family The otherwise healthy toddler has undergone serial continue splinting the foot and physical therapy treat- casting and physical therapy since the second week of ment for another year. The family is noticeably discour- life. He has the ability to pull to stand and crawl and aged by this recommendation and asks for clarification, has been attempting to ambulate but continues to have stating that they understood surgery to be the treatment obvious right foot inversion and forefoot rigidity. The of choice for club foot when an infant began walking. caregivers have researched options for orthopedic sur- The surgeon and registered nurse acknowledge that gery repair of the defect and have discussed the options surgery will be needed but are recommending a delay with their pediatric provider. They feel that physical ther- in surgery based on the recently updated anesthesia apy has had limited value and no longer wish to continue guidelines for infants and young children and the fact casting of the foot. that the child may need more than one surgery for or- History thopedic correction. After the detailed explanation, The child was delivered full-term, normal spontaneous the family agrees to the treatment plan including con- vaginal delivery, Apgars 7 and 9. He was discharged tinued physical therapy and return for follow-up with home with parents on Day 2 of life. He is up to date the surgical team in 6–9 months for reevaluation. on vaccines, has no known allergies, and takes no DISCUSSION Keeley Hall, BA Although some pediatric surgeries are lifesaving thera- BSN Candidate, Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, NC. pies for infants with congenital heart or abdominal or Anne Derouin, DNP, APRN, CPNP, FAANP neural tube defects and are vital in correcting acute Associate Professor, Duke University School of Nursing, conditions like testicular torsion or volvulus, elective Durham, NC. surgeries to correct orthopedic and dermatologic con- The authors have declared no conflict of interest. ditions of infants and young children are safer if delayed Correspondence: Keeley Hall, BA, Duke University School of Nursing, 307 Trent Dr., Durham, NC 27710. until the affected child nears the age of 3 years, after E-mail: [email protected] neurodevelopment has progressed. After a review of DOI: 10.1097/JPS.0000000000000151 extensive evidence, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Journal of Pediatric Surgical Nursing Volume 6 • Issue 4 90 Copyright © 2017 American Pediatric Surgical Nursing Association, Inc. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited. (FDA) recently released an official warning statement operation, thereby reducing the risk of multiple exposures noting that repeated or long periods of exposure to to anesthesia before the age of 3 years. general anesthetic and sedation drugs “may negatively Nursing Implications affect brain development in children younger than Healthcare providers may have been unaware of the 3years” (FDA, 2017). The statement also included rec- significant risks and long-term neurological implications ommendations for pregnant women during their third of anesthesia and sedation medication among young trimester, which resulted in the labeling change of 11 pediatric patients, especially in children's hospitals where common general anesthetic and sedation drugs used surgery is routinely performed on infants and young chil- during surgical procedures for infants and children. dren. The emerging research and the FDA official state- The warning is based on research studies conducted ment highlight developmental concerns and risks that within the past 15 years, which showed, in animal stud- need to be discussed with families during informed con- ies, nervous system cell death and subsequent cognitive sent and consultation for elective surgeries. Information impairment after anesthetic exposure (Sanders, Hassell, about what is known and unknown regarding long-term Davidson, Robertson, & Ma, 2013), and led to significant brain effects of anesthesia needs to be part of the pre- concern for similar adverse effects in fetuses and young operative discussion with the parents or caregivers. children exposed to these medicines. Although the clin- Consideration of surgical timing and duration is impor- ical study results were varied and difficult to interpret tant because infants and toddlers' developing brains are due to a variety of factors including the type of surgery especially vulnerable to effects of common anesthesia or underlying medical conditions such as prematurity and sedation medications used during the periopera- (Andropoulos & Greene, 2017), results suggested that in- tive period. Surgery for medically necessary and life- fants who experienced multiple exposures to anesthesia threatening conditions shouldnotbedelayedoravoided; were at risk for learning disabilities later in childhood however, elective procedures or surgeries that can be (Flick et al., 2011; Sanders et al., 2013; Wilder et al., delayed until children are older warrant discussion 2009). More research is needed to clarify the effects between the family or caregiver and healthcare providers. of repeated or prolonged (>3 hours) anesthesia expo- Consequences of delaying procedures need to be a focus sure in children, but until results are known, the FDA of the deliberation. recommended that healthcare teams weigh the bene- Nurses play a key role in the perioperative process fits of a surgery or procedure with both the known and are instrumental in educating parents and adult care- risks of surgery and the unknown neurocognitive givers of infants and young children as well as providing risks related to anesthesia in young children (SmartTots, support and counseling. In addition to completing a 2015)—when possible, delay exposure to anesthesia. thorough history and physical assessment, pediatric peri- Erring on the side of safety while promoting neurocog- operative nurses address anxieties of the patients and nitive development may be appropriate for a child with family members (Derieg, 2016). Surgical planning and an orthopedic concern like unilateral club foot who is preparation can be a particularly stressful time for fami- thriving and growing well. It is interesting to note, how- lies, and being informed of these recent anesthesia guide- ever, that studies focusing on a single anesthesia expo- lines will help nurses best educate and support families. sure in infants and toddlers did not show significant Although current nursing postoperative management negative effects on neurocognitive outcomes or behav- focuses on “addressing airway, vital signs, pain assessment iors (Davidson et al., 2016; Flick et al., 2011; Sun et al., and management, fluid management, and preparation for 2016). When possible, performing multiple required discharge” (Derieg, 2016), the support and education surgical or procedural interventions under one anes- nurses provide to families as they plan for postoperative thetic exposure could reduce the number of repeated care are also important. In the future, assessments in the exposures to anesthesia. However, it is unclear whether hospital or during follow-up visits may include more young children who undergo one prolonged exposure detailed neuro and cognitive-related assessment proto- to anesthesia would experience greater neurocognitive cols for pediatric patients who underwent anesthesia benefits than undergoing multiple shorter exposures. as infants or toddlers. These may include standardized The FDA warns against lengthy and repeated use of gen-