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Anesthesia Risks and Caffeine Issues
Dr. Russo's Corner
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Please reply with feedback or questions to [email protected]
om.  I will try to answer as many questions via the newsletter as possible.  As always be well and love your children!

 

Dr. Magryta
Chris
Go to www.salisburypediatrics.com  if you would like to read any old newsletters or learn about Integrative Medicine or our practice

 

Issue: #23May 31, 2011
t grass
Friends, 

This email is from our new service through constant contact.  I hope that you enjoy it.
Volume 1 Letter 23

May 31, 2011

 

1)  Anesthesia - new study shows a new wrinkle in risk.  

 

A growing body of evidence in rodents, primates and humans is now showing that general anesthesia can affect the developing brain.  In the New England Journal of Medicine an editorial from the FDA discusses the negative effects of general anesthetics in the vulnerable, less than 3 year old, child's brain.  Prolonged exposure at this critical window of time results in widespread neuronal cell death and long term cognitive deficits.  In other words, the anesthesia causes changes to the brain that result in decreased function.  

 

In one specific study, children under 3 years of age who underwent surgery with general anesthesia had a two fold increase in behavioral and developmental disorders.  The number of anesthetics(drugs) used and the length of exposure correlated with increased disability.  

 

NEJM 2011;364:1387

Journal of Neurosurgery and Anesthesiology 2009; 21:286

 

 2)  Caffeine is a known stimulant and an adult need for many.  I personally like a large green tea in the morning.  In the Journal of pediatrics this year a group studied the effects of children's caffeine consumption on sleep patterns.  

 

The mg dosage of caffeine ingested directly correlated with reduced hours of sleep.  Reduced hours of sleep, as any parent knows, leads to a cranky child and decreased overall function.  Look at your child's intake of caffeine and try to keep it less than 50 mg per day.  

 

Here are some examples of caffeine dosages in kid's beverages:

Energy drinks - 80-160 mg/can

Soda - 50 mg on average/can

Iced tea - 50 - 70 mg/ 12 ounces

Coffee - if they get your iced mocha - 115 mg

 

How to make caffeine free tea?  Brew your tea for 1 minute then pour it off.  Rebrew the same tea leaves and the caffeine is gone!

Lightly sweeten your tea with honey.  1 teaspoon of honey per 16 ounces = 2 grams of sugar per 8 ounce glass serving.   Compare that to southern sweet tea like McDonalds which has 18 grams of sugar per 8 ounces.  

 

Journal of Pediatrics 2011; 158:508

 

My take home point today: Delay all unnecessary surgery in young children.  Watch caffeine intake and sleep well.

 

Live well,

 

Dr. Magryta

 
Dr. Russo's Corner

PESTICIDE EXPOSURE IN WOMB MAY HURT YOUR CHILD'S IQ:

 

Children whose mothers are exposed to high amounts of certain pesticides while pregnant appear to have lower IQs than their peers when they reach school age, according to three government-funded studies.
The pesticides, known as organophosphates, are commonly sprayed on food crops and can be found in trace amounts on berries, green beans, and other fruits and vegetables sold in stores. The pesticides have also been used in homes and gardens, although their indoor use has been widely restricted due to safety concerns.

 

Source and full artilce at: 

Pesticide exposure in womb may hurt your child's IQ

By Amanda Gardner, CNN
April 21, 2011

 

Copyright � 2010-2011 Christopher J. Magryta, MD. Readers, please note: The information provided in this newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for advice and treatment provided by your physician or other healthcare professional and is not to be used to diagnose or treat a health issue.


 


Chris Magryta
Salisbury Pediatric Associates
Touchstone Pediatrics