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Is general anesthesia safe for children?
My 12-year-old son will have a surgery under general anesthesia. Is general anesthesia safe for children?
3 Answers
All anesthesia has risk. Complications are rare, but could happen.
At the age of 12, your son's brain has fully developed and general anesthesia should be safe. At younger ages (up to 2 years old), the brain is not fully developed and there is controversy regarding any effects of general anesthesia on higher learning.
Yes, it is safe in a healthy child, but risks increase if they have other health issues.