Sleepeducation.com Research Summary
Associated Professional Sleep Societies
Sleep | 09/01/2006
Study Title
Neurobehavioral Morbidity Associated with Disordered Breathing During Sleep in Children: A Comprehensive Review
Publication
The September 1, 2006, issue of the journal Sleep
Goal
To review current research studying the link between childhood sleep-disordered breathing and behavioral and emotional problems
Importance
Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) may be a problem in more than 10 percent of children. It occurs when the airway is partially blocked during sleep. The most common example is snoring. The most severe form of SDB is obstructive sleep apnea. It occurs in about 1 percent to 2 percent of children.
Studies suggest that SDB may cause other problems in children. A large number of studies have examined this topic in the last five years. The review attempts to answer this question:
- What is the evidence that childhood SDB causes behavioral or emotional problems?
Results
There is strong evidence of some links between SDB and daytime behaviors in children. Parents of a child with SDB are much more likely to report that their child has behavioral or emotional problems.
The most common finding across the studies is that children with SDB are more likely to have obvious behavior problems. These include:
- Hyperactivity
- Rebellion
- Aggression
Other findings from the study include the following:
- There is strong evidence that SDB is related to problems with attention and alertness.
- Parents are more likely to describe their child as being sleepy if their child has SDB.
- Childhood SDB is related to poor academic performance.
- Most children with SDB tend to have an overall IQ within the average range for their age.
- Snoring in children increases the risk for long-term behavioral and academic problems. This risk remains even when at a later age the snoring goes away without treatment.
- Adenotonsillectomy is often effective in treating sleep apnea in children.
Studies suggest that SDB has little if any effect on the following:
- Typical mood
- Language skills
- Visual perception
- Memory skills
What it Means to You
- Childhood is an important time for the brain to mature and develop. SDB causes sleep disruption and changes in oxygen levels that may affect how a child's brain develops.
- Frequent snoring remains one of the best indicators of an SDB problem.
- Failing to treat SDB puts children at risk for long-term behavioral problems.
- Doctors who see a child with symptoms of SDB and behavioral or academic problems should refer the child to a specialist.
Study Design
Qualitative and quantitative literature review
Study Methods
The author evaluated the findings of 61 relevant studies.
Limits of the Study
- Studies of children rely heavily on reports from parents. More studies need to observe children outside the home.
- There is not enough evidence to show that SDB is the cause of related behavioral problems.
- No published study has examined the long-term effects of treating SDB in children.
Lead Author
Dean W. Beebe, PhD, of the Department of Pediatrics at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in Cincinnati, Ohio
Conflicts of Interest
This was not an industry-supported study.
Funding/Support
Preparation of the article was supported in part by a grant from the National Institutes of Health.
View the study abstract online.
