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Neuropsychological and psychosocial function in children with a history of snoring or behavioral sleep problems

Sarah Blunden1, Kurt Lushington, Bernie Lorenzen

  • 1Centre for Sleep Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia. sarah.blunden@unisa.edu.au

The Journal of Pediatrics
|June 24, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Snoring and behavioral sleep problems (BSP) in children negatively impact cognitive and social skills. Combined snoring and BSP showed the most significant deficits in neuropsychological and psychosocial functioning.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Neuropsychology
  • Child Psychology

Background:

  • Sleep disturbances are common in children.
  • Snoring and behavioral sleep problems (BSP) may affect child development.
  • The distinct and combined effects of snoring and BSP on neuropsychological and psychosocial function require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare neuropsychological and psychosocial functioning in children with snoring, BSP, both, or neither.
  • To identify specific deficits associated with snoring versus BSP.

Main Methods:

  • Families from general practices completed the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children.
  • Children were categorized into Snorers, BSP, Snorers+BSP, and control groups.
  • Neuropsychological (intelligence, memory, attention) and psychosocial assessments were conducted.

Main Results:

  • Children with snoring or snoring+BSP showed lower intelligence and attention scores compared to controls and BSP groups.
  • Children with BSP or snoring+BSP exhibited reduced social skills, increased behavioral problems, and poorer memory.
  • The snoring+BSP group demonstrated the most significant overall deficits.

Conclusions:

  • Snoring and BSP, individually and combined, are linked to impaired neuropsychological and psychosocial functioning in children.
  • Snoring is associated with attention and intelligence deficits.
  • BSP is linked to memory and behavioral deficits.
Abstract

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