Purpose of review: The term 'safe use of anesthesia in children is ill-defined and requires definition of and focus on the 'safe conduct of pediatric anesthesia'.
Recent findings: The Safe Anesthesia For Every Tot initiative (www.safetots.org) has been set up during the last year to focus on the safe conduct of pediatric anesthesia. This initiative aims to provide guidance on markers of quality anesthesia care. The introduction and implementation of national regulations of 'who, where, when and how' are required and will result in an improved perioperative outcome in vulnerable children. The improvement of teaching, training, education and supervision of the safe conduct of pediatric anesthesia are the main goals of the safetots.org initiative.
Summary: This initiative addresses the well known perioperative risks in young children, perioperative causes for cerebral morbidity as well as gaps in regulations, teaching and research. Defining the 'who', 'where', 'when' and 'how' in this context provides the framework for the safe conduct of pediatric anesthesia.