Adverse epigenetic effects of prenatal and perinatal anesthesia

This 2018 Chinese animal review subject was prenatal and perinatal anesthesia’s adverse epigenetic effects on a fetus/neonate:

“Accumulating evidence from rodent and primate studies has demonstrated that in utero or neonatal exposure to commonly used inhaled and intravenous general anesthetics is associated with neural degeneration and subsequent neurocognitive impairments, manifested in learning and memory disabilities.

So far, conflicting data exist about the effect of anesthetic agents on neurodevelopment in humans and no definite conclusion has been given yet.”

The inhibitors in the above graphic counter anesthesia’s effects on the fetus/neonate, summarized as:

“Epigenetic targeting of DNA methyltransferases and/or histone deacetylases may have some therapeutic value.”


Do physicians consider possible epigenetic alterations of a newborn’s chromatin structure and gene expression when they administer anesthesia to mothers during childbirth?

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6079265/ “Epigenetic Alterations in Anesthesia-Induced Neurotoxicity in the Developing Brain”

2 thoughts on “Adverse epigenetic effects of prenatal and perinatal anesthesia

  1. Hi, interesting article, but are you aware that there are ads appearing on your page that promote quackery? e. g. “Throw out this vegetable completely”

    • Hi Bruce! I don’t control the ads or receive revenue from them. Word Press displaying obnoxious ads are their way of encouraging people to upgrade to plans that don’t have ads. As it is, I just pay for the SurfaceYourRealSelf.com domain.

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