My son is 15 and has severe ADHD / executive functioning issues. He had surgery that required general and was out for more than an hour at 4 months, 22 months, and 3 years.

When he was originally diagnosed with ADHD, I did a lot of mental gymnastics if it was connected to the general anesthesia and the surgeries he required. Mostly the challenge I had was that the surgery he had at 4 months was done improperly and needed to be redone at 22 months. He needed the surgery - it was not a question - but I do kick myself more so in not being more forceful and trusting my gut when the Dr was saying things that seemed not to align with other information I read. If you are feeling uncertain and it is not urgent, go get a second opinion.

My son is a really great kid - and also a teenager - so in the same hour he might tell me how horrible I am - and want to sit down and talk about some thing he finds interesting.

Anonymous wrote:yes, aspergers/adhd/anxiety but I've never heard of this possible link before

What was the medical condition that required the anesthesia? Could be correlation not causation

Ear tubes at 8 months. No issues.

No and your doctors should be weighing the risks vs benefits. Is there risk? Yes. But will the benefit outweigh the risk?

My DD had an MRI at 2 and is now 5 and is typical.

yes, aspergers/adhd/anxiety but I've never heard of this possible link before

Anonymous wrote:I have identical twins. One needed surgery under general anesthesia at 3 months, the other did not. They are in middle school now and both do equally well in learning and behavior.

Thank you for providing a proper control for us for this discussion. 😉

Glad they’re doing well!

Anonymous wrote:My child had 20 min of sedation just prior to 3 for tubes in and adenoids out. A few months after 3, was under for an hour for strabismus surgery. No apparent issues currently at almost 6. But I'm glad we were able to skip the 2-3 hour sedated MRI his original eye Dr wanted to do (second Dr who did his surgery didn't think it was necessary).

My 2yo is about to have strabismus surgery. This is reassuring.

Our son went under for two minor surgeries before he was six months. He is 9 now and has had no issues with learning, language, or behavior. I understand how scary it can be for a young child to have surgery, my thoughts are with you.

For over an hour to do an MRI at 11 months to diagnose osteomyelitis and then again for about 10 minutes for tubes at 18 months. He's turning 7 this week and nothing unusual about his behavior other than typical 6/7 year old boy stuff. But - I get it. It was terrifying to be told my baby had to be put under anesthesia for the MRI to get a diagnosis. It was the longest hour (or more, I don't remember) of my entire life.

DS went under for surgery and no issues.

Anonymous wrote:I have identical twins. One needed surgery under general anesthesia at 3 months, the other did not. They are in middle school now and both do equally well in learning and behavior.

Similar with us. One twin had surgery at 3 months. They are in lower elementary and both are doing well. No delays.

I have identical twins. One needed surgery under general anesthesia at 3 months, the other did not. They are in middle school now and both do equally well in learning and behavior.

Major surgery at 8 months, no delays.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did he or she develop any language or learning difficulties or behavioral issues in the long term?

My kid had language and learning difficulties before the surgery. They were mostly better two months afterwards. Insurance fought me on that surgery. I would have paid out of pocket if I knew how much it would help. Tubes rock!

Same. It is however, as I parent I found it scary to watch my go under. Make sure you have a partner, friend with whom to talk.

My child had 20 min of sedation just prior to 3 for tubes in and adenoids out. A few months after 3, was under for an hour for strabismus surgery. No apparent issues currently at almost 6. But I'm glad we were able to skip the 2-3 hour sedated MRI his original eye Dr wanted to do (second Dr who did his surgery didn't think it was necessary).