Li Zhichao, Pan Xuanyuan, Fu Ruiying, Zhu Youzhuang, Li Shuai, Ma Linhui, Chai Jun, Zheng Hui
Anaesthesiology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, Beijing, China.
Anaesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
BMJ Open. 2025 Jun 8;15(6):e098951. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-098951.
The use of sevoflurane, a commonly used paediatric anaesthetic, raises concerns about potential long-term neurotoxic effects on behavioural and neurocognitive development, particularly during critical neurodevelopmental stages in preschool children. Endogenous hydrogen sulfide (HS), a neuroprotective gasotransmitter, may be affected by anaesthetic exposure, but its role in sevoflurane-induced neurotoxicity remains unclear.
METHODS/ANALYSIS: This prospective cohort study aims to evaluate behavioural and neurocognitive outcomes in 200 preschool children aged 4-6 years (1:1 allocation), with exposure to sevoflurane general anaesthesia (GA) as the primary predictor. A family-centred, professionally guided questionnaire-based assessment approach will be employed. Data accuracy and reliability will be ensured through the integration of real-time medical records and standardised instruments. Moreover, by investigating changes in serum HS levels among children in the exposed group, this study offers a novel perspective on the potential neurotoxic mechanisms of GA and may inform the development of targeted neuroprotective interventions.
Ethical approval was obtained from Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University Ethics Examination Committee (2024PS1204K). We will present the results of the study at national and/or international conferences and in peer-reviewed journals. The study began in October 2024 and is expected to be completed in December 2025.
ChiCTR2400090174.
七氟醚是一种常用的儿科麻醉剂，其使用引发了人们对其对行为和神经认知发育可能产生的长期神经毒性影响的担忧，尤其是在学龄前儿童关键的神经发育阶段。内源性硫化氢（HS）作为一种具有神经保护作用的气体信号分子，可能会受到麻醉暴露的影响，但其在七氟醚诱导的神经毒性中的作用仍不清楚。
方法/分析：这项前瞻性队列研究旨在评估200名4至6岁学龄前儿童（1:1分配）的行为和神经认知结果，以七氟醚全身麻醉（GA）暴露作为主要预测因素。将采用以家庭为中心、专业指导的基于问卷的评估方法。通过整合实时医疗记录和标准化工具来确保数据的准确性和可靠性。此外，通过调查暴露组儿童血清HS水平的变化，本研究为GA潜在的神经毒性机制提供了新的视角，并可能为有针对性的神经保护干预措施的开发提供参考。
已获得中国医科大学附属盛京医院伦理审查委员会的伦理批准（2024PS1204K）。我们将在国内和/或国际会议以及同行评审期刊上展示研究结果。该研究于2024年10月开始，预计于2025年12月完成。
ChiCTR2400090174。
