Background　General anesthetics and sedatives are repeatedly used, worldwide, in millions of neonates and infants every year for a variety of surgical operations, and in emergency departments and intensive care units, so people have noticed whether prolonged neonatal exposure to numerous anesthetics may cause widespread neurotoxicity.　Objective　To discuss the research advances on neurotoxicity and potential mechanisms of general anesthetics to developing brain.　Content　This article respectively describes the potential neurotoxicity mechanisms of general anesthetics, and advances on different studies of animal and clinical research and their relevance and limitations.　Trend 　Currently animal and clinical studies cannot be completely ruled out neurotoxicity of general anesthetics. Emphasize the mechanism of the developing nervous system deeply while minimize neurotoxic side effects of pediatric general anesthesia.