Sevoflurane, a common inhaled general anesthetic, is widely used in pediatric surgery. Researches show that exposure to sevoflurane may cause damage in the neurons of developing brain. With the extended anesthesia time and increased inhaled concentrations, abnormal cerebral development and cognitive functional disorder may happen. This article reviews the relevant mechanisms and treatment strategies of cognitive function impairment in the developing brain after sevoflurane exposure. This review summarizes the durable effects of sevoflurane exposure on cognitive function, while the possible mechanisms of cognitive impairment are analyzed from the aspects of gamma‑aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptor, N‑methyl‑D‑aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor, apoptosis, endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), synaptic plasticity and epigenetic modification. Furthermore, effective prevention and treatment strategies to alleviate long‑term cognitive impairment caused by sevoflurane are introduced.