Licensed to practice in Maryland, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, and Texas, Dr. Lewis Satloff is a pediatric anesthesiologist at McAllen Anesthesia Associates in Edinburg, Texas. A board-certified anesthesiologist since 1994, Dr. Lewis Satloff is responsible for the administration of general anesthesia to neonates, infants, and children ahead of various surgical procedures. 

A recent study has indicated that the administration of general anesthesia to infants for one hour or less poses no measurable threat to the child’s development. Authored by researchers including Andrew Davidson of the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Australia, the study involved more than 700 patients in seven different nations all under the age of 5. Researchers could find no problems following the use of anesthesia, namely in areas of neurodevelopment and behavior.

The effects of extended exposure were not explored, as approximately one half of general anesthetics given to pediatric patients last for less than one hour. Furthermore, researchers affirmed their desire to expand the scope of the study, as the initial patient pool leaned too heavily toward males.

The use of anesthesia on pediatric patients is relatively common. In developed nations, 10 percent of children aged 3 or younger will require a general anesthetic at some point. Typical procedures involving anesthesia and young patients include tonsillectomies, endoscopies, and various imaging scans.