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Cognitive executive dysfunction in children with mild sleep-disordered breathing

Kristen Hedger Archbold1, Bruno Giordani, Deborah L Ruzicka

  • 1Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems, Box 357266, University of Washington School of Nursing, Seattle, WA 98195-7266, USA. archbold@u.washington.edu

Biological Research for Nursing
|January 24, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Even mild sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in children can negatively impact cognitive executive functions (EFs), such as attention and mental flexibility. This study highlights potential links between subtle SDB and cognitive challenges in pediatric populations.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Neuropsychology
  • Child Development

Background:

  • Moderate to severe sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is known to impair cognitive executive functions (EFs) in children.
  • The impact of mild SDB on these functions remains less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between mild sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and cognitive executive functions (EFs) in children.
  • To assess specific EFs, including attention and mental flexibility, in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Descriptive study of 12 children (aged 8.0-11.9 years) with mild SDB (apnea/hypopnea index [AHI] 1 to <10).
  • Utilized nocturnal polysomnography (PSG) and multiple sleep latency test (MSLT).
  • Administered standardized tests for EFs, including a continuous performance test and the Children's Category Test (CCT).

Main Results:

  • Children with mild SDB demonstrated significant impairments in sustained attention and vigilance.
  • Lower mental flexibility scores (CCT) were associated with increased time in stage 1 sleep and a higher arousal index on PSG.
  • The apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) significantly predicted variance in CCT scores.

Conclusions:

  • Mild sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in children may be linked to impairments in cognitive executive functions.
  • Sleep architecture disruptions associated with mild SDB could contribute to these cognitive deficits.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the long-term implications of mild SDB on child cognitive development.

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