Experts Work Towards Developing Consensus Regarding Anesthetic Safety in Children
Although the anesthesia community and the FDA agree there are insufficient data to demonstrate a causal link between the use of anesthetics and neurotoxicity in the human pediatric population, the need has grown to communicate accurately to practitioners and parents the current understanding of the risks.
On September 10, 2012, the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) held a SmartTots Scientific Workshop with the goal of developing a consensus statement regarding the safety of anesthetic and sedative drugs administered to infants and young children. Over 60 experts in pediatric medicine and patient safety attended. Read More
Recent Research Articles
SmartTots: A Public-Private Partnership Between the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS)
A history of the SmartTots public-private partnership between the IARS and FDA is presented. SmartTots was established to raise money for research to better understand the relationship between sedative and anesthetic agents and neurotoxicity in the developing brain. Read More
Propofol at Clinically Relevant Concentrations Increases Neuronal Differentiation But Is Not Toxic to Hippocampal Neural Precursor Cells In Vitro
Propofol in the early postnatal period has been shown to cause brain cell death. One proposed mechanism for cognitive dysfunction after anesthesia is alteration of neural stem cell function and neurogenesis. The authors examined the effect of propofol on neural precursor or stem cells (NPCs) grown in vitro. Read More
General Anesthesia: A Gateway to Modulate Synapse Formation and Neural Plasticity?
Appropriate balance between excitatory and inhibitory neural activity patterns is of utmost importance in the maintenance of neuronal homeostasis. General anesthetic–induced pharmacological interference with this equilibrium results not only in a temporary loss of consciousness but can also initiate long-term changes in brain function. Read More
Anesthetics and the Developing Brain: Time for a Change in Practice? A Pro/Con Debate
Early clinical observations, approximately 60 years ago, raised the possibility of a causal link between anesthesia exposure and CNS dysfunction in young children. However, this issue only gained widespread interest following the publication of experimental data less than 15 years ago. Read More
Upcoming Events
Society for Pediatric Anesthesia’s 2012 International Assembly for Pediatric Anesthesia
October 11-12, 2012, Washington, DC
Related Sessions
- Keynote: IARS Lecture – SmartTots
- Anesthetics and the Developing Brain: Time for a Change in Practice?
Visit SmartTots at Booth 20!
SNACC 40th Anniversary Annual Meeting
October 11-12, 2012, Washington, DC
Related Sessions
- Poster Session: Neurotoxicity 1
Visit SmartTots at Booth 4!
American Society of Anesthesiologists’ Anesthesiology 2012
October 13-17, 2012, Washington, DC
Related Sessions
- Anesthetic Related Neurotoxicity in Young Children: An Update
- Your Patient Wants to Know Whether Anesthesia and Surgery Can Damage His or Her Brain
- Anesthesia Effects on the Fetus and Newborn
Visit SmartTots in Concourse A!
American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition
October 20-23, 2012, New Orleans, LA
Related Sessions
Visit the SmartTots booth at the Surgical Reception following the Joint Surgery Conference!