Postoperative cognitive dysfunction in children (Literature review)
M.V. Panteleeva, A.M. Ovezov, A.S. Kotov, A.V. Lugovoy, A.V. Knyazev

Moscow Regional Research and Clinical Institute named after M.F. Vladimirskiy, Moscow

General anesthetics are one of the greatest medical discoveries, allowing to carry out diagnostic procedures and surgical interventions even in the very young patients, reducing the adverse effects of hemodynamic reactions in response to pain and stress stimulation. However, there are data on the ability of anesthetics to have a neurotoxic effect on the brain. Studies conducted on animals have shown a negative effect of general anesthetics on the developing brain, causing a widespread apoptotic neurodegeneration, impaired synaptogenesis and persistent memory and learning deficits. The clinical data, which testify to the development of postoperative cognitive dysfunction and the long-term learning disabilities in the pediatric population, remain conflicting. One of the main aims of the research in children is to determine the effect of anesthesia on cognitive function in early and delayed periods. The review presents data on the pathogenetic mechanisms of the effect of general anesthesia on the developing brain, occurring of delayed cognitive deficits in children, and possible approaches to their drug and non-drug prevention.

Key words: postoperative cognitive dysfunction, general anaesthesia, children, neuroprotection, hopantenic acid, Pantogam.
For citation: Panteleeva M.V., Ovezov A.M., Kotov A.S. et al. Postoperative cognitive dysfunction in children (Literature review) // RMJ. 2018. № 9. P. 52–56.