To evaluate if an intraoperative cerebral regional oxygen saturation (crSO₂) decrease, less pronounced than 20% below baseline (the current threshold believed to be associated with cognitive dysfunction in adults), is associated with negative postoperative behavioral changes (NPOBC) in the pediatric population after noncardiac surgeries.

A prospective observational study was conducted with 198 children aged 2-12 years old scheduled for noncardiac procedures under general anesthesia. Intraoperatively, crSO₂ was monitored with a cerebral oximeter. On postoperative day 7, the Post-Hospital Behavior Questionnaire was used to diagnose NPOBC.

The incidence of NPOBC was 38.8%. Logistic regression analysis revealed that with every 1% reduction of crSO₂ from the baseline value, the odds of developing NPOBC were 1.199 higher. Likewise, preoperative anxiety (OR 2.832, P = .006), duration of surgery (OR 1.026, P < .0001), and being between the ages of 2 and 3 years (OR 2.604, P = .048) were associated with NPOBC incidence. The multivariable logistic regression model receiver operating characteristic curve showed an area under the curve (95% CI) = 0.820 (0.759-0.881).

During noncardiac surgeries in the pediatric population, an intraoperative decrease in crSO₂ less pronounced than 20% from the baseline value is associated with negative postoperative behavior changes on postoperative day 7. The long-term implications remain to be determined, but this supports attention to crSO₂ during noncardiac surgeries.