Monday, August 10, 2009

Anesthesia during Birth Does Not Increase Learning Disability Risk

A recent study conducted by researchers at the Mayo Clinic has found no association between learning disabilities in children and the use of anesthesia during a Cesarean section. For the study, the research team, led by Dr. Juraj Sprung, examined the medical and school records of 5,320 children born in Olmsted County, Minnesota. All of the children were born between 1976 and 1982. Sprung and his colleagues found that the risk of developing a learning disability was no greater for children who were exposed to anesthesia during a Cesarean delivery than those who were delivered vaginally. In addition, the study found that when a mother received an epidural anesthetic during delivery, the risk of their child developing a learning disability was significantly lowered. Compared to babies that were delivered vaginally or by C-section without general anesthesia, the risk of developing a learning problem was lowered by about 40 percent for those whose mother received an epidural.


Co-author Dr. Randall Flick noted that no changes to medical practice should be made based on these preliminary findings. He also added that other factors may influence whether or not a child develops a learning disability. During pregnancy, labor and birth, a doctor, nurse or hospital employee has a responsibility to the mother and her baby to monitor and manage their medical conditions. If your child has suffered a birth injury that may have been preventable, call or e-mail us today. One of our experienced birth injury attorneys in New York will evaluate your case for free. We have helped clients with Bronx birth injury, Queens birth injury, Brooklyn birth injury, Nassau birth injury and Suffolk birth injury cases.


Call us toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net

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