Neurocognitive changes have been studied extensively in the elderly where evidence suggests the possibility of persistent cognitive dysfunction after surgery. The incidence, time course, etiology, and relevance of this possibility in pediatric populations are incompletely understood. While there has been extensive study into the neurotoxic effects of anaesthesia in early childhood, there has been little research into the impact of surgery and anaesthesia in older children.
This study will include children between 10 to 16 years of age scheduled for major spinal surgery for idiopathic scoliosis, in otherwise healthy children. The trajectory of the child’s neurocognitive function will be assessed at regular intervals using well validated psychometric testing. The study will also explore the incidence of post anaesthesia delirium as in adults, delirium has been linked to cognitive decline.
The findings from this study should have an immediate impact on information for parents as well as being an example for similar studies for other surgeries. If decline is documented, the study will also provide data to understand aetiology, potential risk groups and possible targets for future interventions.
Professor Andrew Davidson, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne
Associate Professor Christopher Brasher, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne
Dr Suze Bruins, Perth Children’s Hospital, Perth
Associate Professor Aaron Buckland, Melbourne Orthopaedic Group, Melbourne
Dr Louise Crowe, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne
Associate Professor Justin Skowno, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, NSW
Professor Laszlo Vutskits, University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland.
The project was awarded $A50,074 through the ANZCA research grants program for 2023.