general anesthetic

^[1]^[2]

Introduction

A pharmaceutical agent that produces a loss of sensation associated with a loss of consciousness.

repeated use of general anesthetics & sedatives, or use for > 3 hours, in children < 3 years of age & in women in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy could adversely affect child brain development^[1]*
multiple surgeries or prolonged surgery under general anesthesia may negatively affect brain development in children < 3 years of age^[2]

* ACOG takes issue with warning^[1]

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 FDA Safety Alert. Dec 14, 2016 General Anesthetic and Sedation Drugs: Drug Safety Communication
New Warnings for Young Children and Pregnant Women. http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm533195.htm
FDA Drug Safety Communication: Dec 14, 2016 FDA review results in new warnings about using general anesthetics and sedation drugs in young children and pregnant women. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm532356.htm
American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists. Dec 21, 2016 Practice Advisory: FDA Warnings Regarding Use of General Anesthetics and Sedation Drugs in Young Children and Pregnant Women. http://www.acog.org/About-ACOG/News-Room/Practice-Advisories/FDA-Warnings-Regarding-Use-of-General-Anesthetics-and-Sedation-Drugs
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 FDA Safety Alert. April 27, 2017 General Anesthetic and Sedation Drugs: Drug Safety Communication
FDA Approves Label Changes for Use in Young Children. https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm555631.htm