4 <p> This week, <a href="http://whyfiles.org">The Why Files</a> asks if anesthetics are killing brain cells in children who are exposed during pregnancy or the first three years of life. </p> <p> New research shows that some common anesthetics rapidly kill brain cells, causing learning and spatial memory problems later on. The same type of programmed cell death in the brain is a key cause of fetal alcohol syndrome. Anesthesiologists are "between a rock and a hard place," as one of them told The Why Files. Some have tried to discount the new studies, but even some skeptics have already started to change their practices. </p> <p> For this report, The Why Files talks to experts who have been studying cell death and to anesthesiologists trying to make sense of the new findings. </p> <p> The Why Files is a Web-based exploration of the science that underpins the news. Its mission is to make science accessible and meaningful. Using current and news events, a new feature is produced each week. Features explore aspects of science that provide greater context and meaning than can be found in traditional news coverage. </p> This week, <a href="http://whyfiles.org">The Why Files</a> asks if anesthetics are killing brain cells in children who are exposed during pregnancy or the first three years of life. Anesthesia in childhood: Are there dangers? 13296 2007-01-14T00:00:00-06:00 2006-12-14T00:00:00-06:00 13296 true trdevitt@wisc.edu Terry 4 Devitt 3615 true