A new study published in Anasthesia, the journal of the American Society of Anasthesiologists Inc., reported that children who were exposed to anasthesiology when their mothers underwent Caesarian sections during childbirth were no more likely to develop learning disabilities that those whose mothers delivered vaginally.

Stated Dr. Juraj Sprung in the New York Times, "This is reassuring," considering that a study throughout the past year has shown that children under the age of four who have been repeatedly exposed to anasthesia were at greater risk to developing learning disabilities.

According to Sprung, "It appears that exposure to a single anasthetic, during labor and delivery, does not cause any adverse effect on brain development."

The study's results are reassuring, especially as C section is again becoming a popular choice among physicians and women for delivery. As payers, we can be certain that we are putting neither mother nor baby at risk by approving a C-section for delivery.

To read the full article in the New York Times click here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/30/health/research/30baby.html?ref=health

Find the full journal article here: http://journals.lww.com/anesthesiology/Abstract/2009/08000/Anesthesia_for_Cesarean_Delivery_and_Learning.15.aspx