HELP ME - CALLING ALL PARENTS WHOS BABIES (under 12m) HAVE HAD SURGERY

[AlwaysSeekingComfort]

Hi all MN’ers

i am really anxious and freaking out :(

my LO is having surgery for a congenital birth defect and I’ve read that anesthetia has effects neurologically on babies developing brains and causes delays in all skills I.E. motor, language, fine etc… this is what I’ve read in clinical studies when children were followed up at 2yrs/5yrs old etc. this is from numerous different studies too, not just a one off. Why did I turn to Google and go down the rabbit hole…. Because I am an over thinker anxious idiot who only has herself to blame. But with me I need statistics/numbers etc to be able to process my anxieties.

i mean, she has to have the surgery, which I was already super anxious about anyway… and now I have this extra worry on top… she’s only a little dot bless her and it’s all so overwhelming.

I guess what I am trying to ask is, has anyones babies under 12m had surgery under general anesthetic and had no problems later down the line in regards to their development?

thanks
from an already anxious FTM x

Hi, my wee one had surgery under general anesthetic aged 7 weeks. No problems whatsoever. She is 7 years old now never had any issues due to her surgery.
I have never heard of general anesthetics causing such issues, certainly not in substantial numbers. Just looking at the cast numbers of babies having surgery every year, I think if there was a genuine concerns this would be very well known. There is of course, as any anesthetist will tell you, a very small risk with every surgery, but they usually don't even suggest surgery if the benefits don't massively outweigh the risks.
Hope this helps and all the best for your wee ones survery!

Ds1 had surgery at 10 months old and is now 19 years old having achieved 4 A⃰ s at A level and attends a top 10 university. So anecdotally he is completely fine, never had any issues developmentally.

If you haven't already seen the Social Dilemma on Netflix it is definitely worth a watch to show you how skewed your google search is when reaffirming a belief. ie if you were an avid Trump supporter there wouldn't be any anti-Trump pages coming up for you as they want you to keep browsing so feed you supportive viewpoints. I hope that makes sense.

It is terrifying knowing your child has to have surgery so you have my deepest sympathies. All the risks will be pointed out to you by the anaesthetist.

I was a baby who had heart surgery when I was 11 months - I had no problems in my development. 😊

My friend had surgery at a few days old, pushing 50 and doing find. Anesthetics will have come a long way in 50 years.

My son had surgery under GA at 6 weeks to correct a congenital inguinal hernia. He’s 15 now and absolutely flying.
Please don’t worry. I’d suggest speaking directly to the anaesthetist about your questions.

I had eye surgery as a baby. I'm 36. I'm fine.

I can appreciate it's a very worrying time for you. I have anxiety too and google wayyyy to much. It's the worst for anxiety, we know it, yet we still do it! Trouble is when we are anxious about something we tend to gravitate towards all the articles/information that validates that anxiety. I'm sure there are also articles out there which highlight the detrimental long term effects of not having surgery for 'x, y, z' for example! What I mean by that is, think of the long term effects of not getting the surgery for your lo? Simple pros vs cons list. It's hard to rationalize when anxiety takes over.

Hope that rambling reply made sense !

Wow, all I can say is thank you all so much! Wasn’t expecting as many responses and so quickly either….

im glad to hear all of your LO’s/yourselves surgeries went well!

although still a very anxious Mumma for her surgery, you have all put my mind at rest regarding this! I really appreciate it.

x

12 month old had surgery .. now 4 and very bright and above average as per his nursery teacher who wishes he was at school but he missed the cut off!

My daughter had surgery at 2 hours and a second at 13 days both under GA.

She’s now an adult who met all her milestones growing up and has had no adverse affects.

Good luck to you all

My 15 year old had surgery at 8 days and then at 10 months with only great results. Hang on in there, it's so tough when they go under ( I have been through 6 operations between my 2 boys) and awful waiting until you can go to them in recovery but you get through it.
I'm all good and strong until the anaesthetic kicks in, they pass out and I sob all the way back to the ward. 😏🙄

Haven’t read the whole thread but my dd had general anaesthetic at 11 and 18 months. She got all A results at school and is at the top university in the country. Hope that helps!

And meant to say second surgery was about 7 hours and on heart-lung bypass machine

My son had surgery aged 6 months and 14 years on he’s completely fine. I’m sorry this is causing you so much worry. Do try to step away from the Google and stay with the child you have in front of you…who is fine now, will be fine after surgery and will be absolutely fine as she grows up.