Mayo Clinic Study: Anesthesia vs. ADHD | Health

A new study from Mayo Clinic suggests young children, who are repeatedly exposed to anesthesia, have a much greater chance of being diagnosed with Attention Defecit-Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD.

Researchers say an infant or toddler, who is exposed to anesthesia and surgery more than once, is more than twice as likely to get ADHD.

However the co-author of the study, Dr. David Warner, says in most cases the theoretical risks do not outweigh the real benefits of surgery.

     "I'm a new grandfather. My 4 week old granddaughter had a surgical procedure last week," said Dr. Warner. "Believe me I'm thinking about this in a very personal way. But my granddaughter had a life threatening illness and had to have the operation. And in my mind there was no question."

The FDA is also encouraging research into this area and has even created a research initiative called "SmartTots".