Abstract
The neurotoxicity of commonly used anaesthetics for the developing brain of young children is frequently discussed and not fully established nowadays. NMDA and GABA-ergic receptors in the brain, which are affected by most anaesthetics, also control the development of the central nervous system.
It can therefore have an impact on the brain neurogenesis with a resulting disorder of the cognitive and behavioural functions. Although the results of recent clinical studies are not available yet, it is recommended to use pharmaceuticals with a lower potential neurotoxicity (sevoflurane, opiates), to combine general and local anaesthesia and to avoid all the influences which may aggravate the possible neurotoxicity (hypoxia, hypercapnia, hypoglycaemia, hypothermia etc.).