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New York City, New York - October 3, 2011

A new study shows general anesthesia during surgery could put infants and
toddlers at risk for developmental problems.

Joshua Eyre is a happy, healthy seven-month-old. "He's been through a lot. He's a miracle baby," said his mom, Savitri Eyre.

When Joshua was first born he needed emergency surgery on his large
intestine, and later a second surgery. "I was very, very worried. I thought we were
going to lose him," Eyre said.

General anesthesia for toddlers and infants could affect their speech and
language development according to a new study  in Pediatrics that looked at
hundreds of children.

"Children who were exposed to anesthetic drugs and surgery prior to age 2
were nearly twice as likely to have a learning disability, that is if they
were exposed more than once," said Dr. Randall Flick with the Mayo Clinic and the studies author.

Like any family faced with having surgery for a child, the Eyre's knew there
were risks, but Joshua's situation was very serious.  Joshua's surgeon says parents shouldn't think twice about going through with surgery if it's necessary.

"The risks of not getting the operation are typically far, far greater than the
potential learning disability that might occur months or years down the road,"
said Dr. Arthur Cooper, Director of Pediatric Surgical Services at Harlem Hospital Center.

The FDA convened a panel this Spring and that panel looked at all the evidence
related to this problem and determined that the evidence wasn't sufficient to
warrant a public statement to families about the concerns that these and other
studies have raised.

Savitri Eyre is keeping a close eye on her son's development and says he's
doing great. "He's talking, he calls you, he so alert," she said.

And she has no regrets that she made the right decision.

Manuel Gallegus - CBS News