General anesthetics in children: neurotoxic or neuroprotective?

Abstract

Introduction: general anesthetics are involved in neuroprotection in adults after ischemic events and cognitive impairment. Thus, they also may be associated with learning disorders in children exposed to them before three years of age. Controversial results are found in the current literature. Studies in experimental animals demonstrated a significant increase in neuroapoptosis, however these findings can not be transposed to humans.Objective: Describe about the neurotoxic effects of general anesthetics in experimental animals and children, Highlighting the most recent studies and their impact on clinical practice.