Child in hospital gown, brain activity, anesthesia illustration.

Surgery Under 5? What Parents Need to Know About Anesthesia and Child Development

Avery Sinclair in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A new study explores the link between early childhood anesthesia and mental health, offering insights for parents and healthcare providers."

Parents naturally worry about their children's health, especially when medical procedures are involved. It's common to wonder about the long-term effects of anesthesia on a child's developing brain, particularly if surgery is needed before age 5. Does anesthesia pose a risk to their mental and cognitive development?

A recent study published in "Anesthesia & Analgesia" sheds light on this important topic. Researchers analyzed data from a large cohort of children to investigate the relationship between early exposure to anesthesia and the subsequent diagnosis of mental disorders.

The study aimed to determine if the timing of anesthesia exposure during critical periods of brain development had a significant impact on mental health outcomes. By understanding the potential risks and associated factors, parents and healthcare providers can make informed decisions about the necessity and timing of surgical procedures in young children.

Unpacking the Study: Key Findings on Anesthesia and Mental Health

Child in hospital gown, brain activity, anesthesia illustration.

The researchers examined a dataset of over 38,000 children who underwent common surgical procedures requiring anesthesia before the age of 5. These procedures included pyloromyotomy, inguinal hernia repair, circumcision (outside the perinatal period), and tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy. The study compared these children to a control group of over 192,000 children who had not been exposed to anesthesia before age 5.

Here's what the study revealed:

Overall Increased Risk: Children exposed to anesthesia for these minor surgeries had a slightly increased risk of being diagnosed with a mental disorder, developmental delay (DD), or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
No Critical Period: The timing of the surgery (and thus anesthesia exposure) within the first five years of life did not significantly alter the risk. In other words, there wasn't a specific age window where exposure was more dangerous than others.
Consistent Risk Across Disorders: The increased risk was similar for any mental disorder diagnosis, DD, and ADHD.

The study authors concluded that while there is a statistically significant increased risk, the timing of the surgical procedure does not appear to alter these elevated risks. This suggests that delaying necessary procedures to avoid anesthesia may not necessarily reduce long-term neurodevelopmental risks.

What Does This Mean for Parents?

While the study offers some reassurance, it's essential for parents to have open conversations with their child's healthcare providers. Discuss the necessity of the surgery, potential alternatives, and the type of anesthesia being used. Consider these points: Discuss all options with your doctor. Understand risks and benefits. Ask about anesthesia safety. Support your child during recovery.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1213/ane.0000000000002423, Alternate LINK

Title: Age At Exposure To Surgery And Anesthesia In Children And Association With Mental Disorder Diagnosis

Subject: Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

Journal: Anesthesia & Analgesia

Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)

Authors: Caleb Ing, Ming Sun, Mark Olfson, Charles J. Dimaggio, Lena S. Sun, Melanie M. Wall, Guohua Li

Published: 2017-12-01

Everything You Need To Know

Does undergoing surgery with anesthesia before the age of 5 increase a child's risk of mental health issues?

Yes, a recent study indicated that children exposed to anesthesia for common minor surgeries like pyloromyotomy, inguinal hernia repair, circumcision, and tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy before age 5 had a slightly increased risk of being diagnosed with a mental disorder, developmental delay (DD), or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This was when compared to children who had not been exposed to anesthesia during that period. It's important to note that the increase was statistically significant but relatively small.

Is there a specific age before 5 when anesthesia exposure is more dangerous for a child's brain development?

The study found that the timing of surgery and anesthesia exposure within the first five years of life did not significantly alter the risk of mental health issues. In other words, there wasn't a critical period identified where anesthesia exposure was more dangerous than at other times during those early years. The risk was consistent across the age range for any mental disorder diagnosis, developmental delay, and ADHD.

What specific types of surgeries were analyzed in the study regarding anesthesia exposure and mental health in young children?

The study focused on children who underwent common surgical procedures requiring anesthesia before the age of 5. These procedures included pyloromyotomy, inguinal hernia repair, circumcision (outside the perinatal period), and tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy. These surgeries were chosen to assess the potential impact of anesthesia on neurodevelopment during critical periods of brain development.

If my child needs surgery before age 5, should I delay it to avoid anesthesia and potential mental health risks?

The study suggests that delaying necessary procedures to avoid anesthesia may not necessarily reduce long-term neurodevelopmental risks. While there is a statistically significant increased risk associated with early anesthesia exposure, the timing of the surgical procedure does not appear to alter these elevated risks. It's crucial to have open discussions with your child's healthcare providers to discuss the necessity of the surgery, potential alternatives, and the type of anesthesia being used, weighing the risks and benefits in your specific situation.

What steps can parents take to ensure their child's well-being if surgery with anesthesia is necessary before the age of 5?

Parents should have open and detailed conversations with their child's healthcare providers, including surgeons and anesthesiologists. Discuss the necessity of the surgery, explore potential alternative treatments, and understand the type of anesthesia being used. Ask about the potential risks and benefits, anesthesia safety protocols and what to expect during the recovery period. Also, ensure you provide a supportive environment for your child during recovery to minimize stress.