Why SmartTots?

Early research in animal models has raised concerns about the safety of some anesthetic drugs, which need to be investigated further to determine if they pose a hazard to infants and children younger than four years of age. However, dangers to infants and children from anesthesia remain unproven at this point.

It is the goal of SmartTots to fill these scientific gaps, and ultimately ensure the safety of the millions of young children who undergo anesthesia each year.

My child needs surgery, what should I do?

Children do not undergo surgery requiring anesthesia unless the surgery is essential to their health. Therefore, if a child needs surgery, postponing that surgery until the child is older than four years of age would likely create far more risk than proceeding with anesthesia and surgery as soon as necessary. Currently, there is no scientific basis for delaying essential surgery.

If you are a parent with questions about medical care sparked by hearing about the SmartTots initiative, you should consult your local health care provider since they know the most about your child and his/her unique medical condition(s). If you have questions of a more general nature, feel free to email the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia (SPA) at spa@societyhq.com where someone knowledgeable about anesthesia care for infants and children will try to answer your question.

For more information, please see our FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.

How Can I Help?

You can support this important effort by serving as a public champion for SmartTots.

• Spread the word about it through your personal connections.
• Like us on Facebook and ask others to do the same.
• Donate and ask others to match your gift. 100% of all donations to SmartTots go directly to funding research. Visit our donation page now.
• Register to receive the monthly SmartTots e-newsletter and share it with others on your email list.
• Contact us about volunteer opportunities.