Autistic Spectrum disorder and Anaesthesia
Anaesthesia Department, General Hospital of Larisa, Greece
Case Study
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 21(03), 1656–1658
Publication history:
Received on 12 February 2024; revised on 19 March 2024; accepted on 21 March 2024
Abstract:
One of the groups of patients which may require the greatest flexibility of approach is those with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD is a lifelong developmental disability, affecting four times as many males than females, which affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people and the world around them. Challenging behaviors may be triggered by the unfamiliar perioperative environment and may make anesthesia related procedures difficult or impossible. Children with more severe ASD may exhibit verbal or physical aggression, antisocial or disruptive behavior, temper tantrums, screaming, panic attacks, and self-injurious behavior, and may have aberrant responses to sensory stimuli. Although anaesthesia and sedation do not present a problem for most children with ASD, unpredictable regression in skills and behaviour is noted in a small number of patients after general anaesthesia. A 10-year-old child, 53 kg, with autism under treatment, came for a dental abscess and related dental work under general anaesthesia. The pediatric neurological assessment indicated hyperactivity and lack of cooperation. Post-operatively, during resuscitation, the child showed agitation and an attempt to withdraw oxygen, with the physical presence of his family environment.
Keywords:
Autism; Anaesthesia; ASD; Disability; Epilepsy; Behavior
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Copyright © 2024 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0