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Adaptation of Microelectrode Array Technology for the Study of Anesthesia-induced Neurotoxicity in the Intact Piglet Brain
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Neurodevelopmental Effects of General Anaesthesia on the Developing Brain: A Structured Review of the Current

Adnan Higgi1, Carys Melvin2

  • 1Urology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, GBR.

Cureus
|January 14, 2026
PubMed

Insights

General anesthesia (GA) in children may pose risks for neurodevelopmental issues with repeated or prolonged exposure. Current evidence does not link single GA exposure to long-term harm, but further research is needed.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Anesthesiology
  • Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics
  • Cognitive Science

Background:

  • Concerns exist regarding potential neurodevelopmental effects of general anesthesia (GA) in early childhood.
  • Preclinical studies suggest anesthetic agents may harm developing brains, inducing neuroapoptosis and disrupting neurogenesis.
  • The impact of GA on long-term cognitive and behavioral outcomes in children requires thorough investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the current literature on the association between GA exposure in children and long-term cognitive or behavioral impairments.
  • To synthesize findings from original research assessing neurodevelopmental outcomes following pediatric GA exposure.

Main Methods:

  • A structured literature review was performed using the PubMed database.
  • Included were original research studies (retrospective cohort and prospective trials) assessing neurodevelopmental outcomes in children post-GA.
  • Excluded were meta-analyses and systematic reviews.

Main Results:

  • Retrospective cohort studies indicated that multiple or prolonged GA exposure in childhood may correlate with learning difficulties, behavioral disorders, and reduced academic performance.
  • Prospective trials (GAS, PANDA, MASK) found no significant neurodevelopmental deficits after single, short-duration GA exposure.
  • The MASK study suggested potential behavioral risks associated with repeated GA exposure.

Conclusions:

  • Current evidence does not establish a definitive link between single GA exposure and long-term neurodevelopmental harm in children.
  • Repeated or prolonged GA exposure in childhood may be associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental harm.
  • Further high-quality research is necessary to clarify the associations between pediatric GA exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Keywords:
anaestheticcnsconditions impact academic performanceneuro developmentpediatric

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