Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 11, 2026
Studying Brain Function in Children Using Magnetoencephalography
Published on: April 8, 2019
The effect of regional anaesthesia versus general anaesthesia on behavioural functions in children
Abdul Razzak Khochfe1, Mariam Rajab1, Fouad Ziade2
1Paediatrics Department, Makassed General Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon.
Insights
General anesthesia before age 2 significantly increases the risk of long-term behavioral issues in children compared to regional anesthesia. Younger age and longer surgery duration further elevate this risk.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Anesthesiology
- Developmental Psychology
- Child Health Outcomes
Background:
- Early childhood anesthesia exposure is a growing concern.
- Potential long-term neurodevelopmental effects require investigation.
- Understanding anesthesia type impact on behavior is crucial for clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the long-term behavioral effects of general anesthesia versus regional anesthesia.
- To assess the impact of a single anesthesia exposure before age 2.
- To identify risk factors for behavioral changes post-anesthesia.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of children undergoing surgery before age 2 (2002-2006).
- Behavioral changes assessed using the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory.
- Statistical analysis included Chi-square, t-test, and multivariate analysis.
Main Results:
- General anesthesia group: 26.2% developed behavioral abnormalities.
- Regional anesthesia group: 5.3% developed behavioral abnormalities (P<0.0001).
- Risk factors: general anesthesia, younger age at exposure, and longer surgery duration.
Conclusions:
- Regional anesthesia is associated with significantly fewer behavioral issues than general anesthesia.
- Early exposure to general anesthesia before age 2 increases behavioral disorder risk.
- Younger age and prolonged surgery duration are independent risk factors.
Purpose:
The primary objective was to assess the effect of general anaesthesia versus regional anaesthesia in a single exposure before the age of 2 years on the development of long-term behavioural changes in children.
Methods:
The study was conducted between January 2014 and March 2015. Medical records of eligible children were reviewed. Then, parents of children who were included in the study were contacted and asked to visit the Outpatient Department to fill the Eyberg Child Behaviour Inventory questionnaire to measure behavioural changes in children. Children who were exposed to regional or general anaesthesia for surgery between January 2002 and December 2006 were included. Data collected were age and weight at the time of the first anaesthesia exposure and surgery duration. Chi-square test, t-test and multivariate analysis were used.
Results:
In total, 394 children were exposed to anaesthesia before the age of 2 years. Among the 168 patients who were exposed to general anaesthesia, 44 children (26.2%) developed behavioural abnormalities compared to 12 out of 226 patients (5.3%) who were exposed to regional anaesthesia (P-value<0.0001). Exposure to anaesthesia before age of 2 years increases the risk of developing behavioural disorder when surgery is accompanied by general anaesthesia, younger age at time of exposure, and longer surgery duration (P-value<0.0001, 0.001, 0.038 respectively).
Conclusion:
Regional anaesthesia showed much lesser effect on children's behaviour compared to general anaesthesia. The incidence of behavioural disorder is increased with the use of general anaesthesia, younger age of the patient at time of exposure, and longer surgery duration.
Related Concept Videos
01:03IR Frequency Region: Fingerprint Region
02:40The Eukaryotic Promoter Region
02:40The Eukaryotic Promoter Region
01:17Region of Convergence
01:12Regional Terms
Primarily, the human body has two major regions, the axial and appendicular regions. The axial region comprises regions from the head to the abdomen and makes up the central body axis. In contrast,...
01:29Drug Dosing: Infants and Children