General anaesthetic

[Sofialou]

my partner and I are in a dilemma regarding my 4 year old son. He has autism, global development delays (he’s non verbal, can walk but is not very balanced) he also suffers with ketotic hyperglycaemia in which he is constantly in and out of hospital. It has been suggested by a few different paediatricians that there is probably something going on with his brain and it’s been suggested that he has an MRI scan in which he will have to be put to sleep. The doctors have informed us that it’s more than Likely we will find out what’s going on up there but it wouldn’t probably change anything as in it would be more for our/there information that may shed some light on why he is the way he is as appose to anything that could be able to be treated. We have had some doctors say that they would suggest waiting till he was around 7 so the risk of being put to sleep is less, and we have had some that say to go ahead with it now. I’m going back and forth atm to whether we let him have it done now or we wait, and I’m asking anyone out there who has any medical background in this, what are the risks and how high is the risk, of him being put to sleep. Thank you in advance to anyone that can be of any help. Ps this is my first post so I don’t know about all the abbreviations yet xxx

Hello, first of all you sound like the most wonderful, caring mama to your lovely boy.
i just wanted to let you know my son (who also has autism) had a general anaesthetic aged 12 months for a big kidney operation that lasted 5 hours, and another 2 weeks later. He was fine both times. I work with children who undergo general anaesthesia from as young as 4 weeks old and while it’s not ideal it’s definitely manageable clinically. Especially when it would be planned and not an emergency acute anaesthesia.
Unless something about his specific condition concerns them about an anaesthetic or there are developmental benefits to waiting, I can’t see why aged 4 it would be a problem.
sending love and hope for answers 💐

Thank you so much for your response, it’s so reassuring to hear. I can’t even imagine how scary that must have been for you, so glad your son is doing well. I think we will probably go ahead with the MRI, it’s so scary when there so little 😩

There’s generally no massive change in how safe an anaesthetic is aged 4 vs aged 7. The benefits of the procedure have to outweigh the risks though - is it going to benefit your son to have a more concrete diagnosis if it doesn’t mean it changes his treatment options?

My 3yo has had 9 (I think) over the last year, some for surgeries, some for scans. I don't think they are hugely risky, and it sounds like it would be useful for then to have a look at what's going on in his brain.

Thank you all for your replies, I have found them very helpful and they have put my mind at rest a bit xxx

I previously worked in an MRI dept and they would run paediatric lists with general anaesthetics twice a week. The children were closely monitored by a team of 3-4 people the entire time, although the scan only takes around 20-30 mins to do. They weigh up the risks and benefits and have obviously decided that it is necessary for your son to have an MRI.

My 6yo had a head MRI under GA a few weeks ago. It was absolutely fine and she was back with me really quickly. It was worth it to make steps towards answers for her.

I suspect their thought is that at age 7yo he may be able to lie still so not need a general anaesthetic.
Ds had one at 8yo, I think he was, and I was surprised that they said to try without. I was also surprised that my wriggly never-still ds (he has adhd and asd) lay so still for the entire 20 minutes that the only time he moved was once to scratch his nose. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't been there.

However ds has had anaesthetic for grommets. For him he doesn't take it well. He's normally still lying in bed feeling bad while children that came out well after him are charging round the ward. He also normally vomits at least once as he's coming out. However it's not dangerous for him, so if an MRI will put your mind at rest or answer some questions then I would still go ahead with it. I think in your case I'd definitely go for answers now.

My son was diagnosed with eye cancer aged 2. He had about 40 general anaesthetics between 2 and 5 years of age. Apart from being a complete nightmare when he came around, and it disrupting his sleep for a few days, it is fine. As a one off, I would ask for a drip in his hand using numbing cream and put him to sleep like that rather than using gas, esp with some learning difficulties it's horrible if they can't fully understand having a mask held over their face. Also the fasting beforehand might be tricky for him to understand. However, like I say, as a one off the risks are minimal, be prepared for hungry child and have snacks to hand when he wakes up! Hopefully you will get some answers too

Hi, another mum here suggesting the risks are likely to be minimal.

My eldest son has had 2 general anaesthetics, both for groin surgeries, one at 2 years old and one at 4.

When he was 2 they couldn't get the needle in his chubby hand, so he had the gas on his face - not fun to watch but he has no memory of it. When he was 4 they managed to give the medication through the needle on his hand and I was holding him and hugging him on my lap while he fell asleep, so that one was fine.

My son was very distressed on waking up both times, but in fairness he was in a lot of pain post-operatively, with stitches etc. Your son obviously won't have any pain from an MRI, so I'd expect that part to be much better for your son.

In general there is very low risk and in your shoes I'd most likely go ahead, and get the answers sooner rather. Best of luck x

Anaesthetist - GAs are very safe now, the concerns re risks to the developing brain is mainly <2yo hence we delay surgery if non essential (extra digits etc). Nothing is without risk, and obviously the older the child the more developed the brain is

If being older would mean he would potentially mean avoiding a GA then that's obviously an advantage (particularly if its for curiosity sake more than aiding treatment plans), but obviously developmental delay may mean that a GA is still needed

Have a read here for more info:

www.rcoa.ac.uk/patients/patient-information-resources/information-children-parents-carers

wow reading through the procedures that your children and yourselves have all had to go through, your children are all so brave and so are you guys!!
I have booked the MRI this morning, thank you for all your help everyone ❤️

Hi , my dd is going into hospital to have an impacted canine removed it’s under the roof her palate . It will require a general and I’m nervous
Has anyone else’s child had this procedure , how long does it take and what should I expect ?
i know that it’s straight forward but I can’t help worrying Thankyou