The link between LDs and Anaesthesia

If you're a parent, you probably worry about a lot of things - making sure your kids eat right, stay healthy and succeed in school are probably at the top of the list.  If you have a child with learning disabilities, you worry about a lot more - supporting them in school, working with teachers and other professionals, helping them with social skills, and on and on.  When a major study is released that looks at the link between LDs and something else, it's another thing to worry about.  But it's important to put academic studies in context.  Is it a study on mice?  You can't jump to conclusions about what the results mean for humans - yet.  Is the study group really small?  Then the evidence may not be statistically valid. 

The latest study that caught my eye looked at the link between early exposure to anaesthesia (before age two) and learning disabilities.  Does that mean that every child who received anesthetic before age two will have an LD?  No.  Does it mean a parent should defer surgery for their child because they're worried about the long-term impact?  Again no.  This is a first step in understanding the complex working on the brain and how it's impacted by various situations.  It's something to be aware of, but not something to panic about.

There's a great, balanced story in The Huffington Post on the issue that I suggest you check out.  Be sure to read to the end!

Rhonda