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Snoring predicts hyperactivity four years later

Ronald D Chervin1, Deborah L Ruzicka, Kristen Hedger Archbold

  • 1Sleep Disorders Center, Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA. chervin@umich.edu

Sleep
|August 30, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Snoring and sleep-disordered breathing symptoms in children are significant risk factors for developing hyperactivity. This prospective study confirms that these sleep issues can precede and contribute to hyperactive behaviors over time.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Child Psychology
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Background:

  • Cross-sectional studies suggest a link between snoring/sleep-disordered breathing and childhood hyperactivity.
  • However, prospective evidence demonstrating that sleep issues precede hyperactivity is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To prospectively investigate if symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing predict the future development or exacerbation of hyperactive behavior in children.
  • To establish a temporal relationship between sleep disturbances and hyperactivity.

Main Methods:

  • A 4-year prospective cohort study involving 229 children aged 2-13 years.
  • Parents completed validated surveys on snoring, sleepiness, sleep-disordered breathing risk, and hyperactivity (Conners' Parent Rating Scale).

Main Results:

  • Hyperactivity at follow-up was predicted by baseline habitual snoring, loud snoring, and high scores for snoring, sleepiness, or overall sleep-disordered breathing.
  • Children with baseline snoring or sleepiness symptoms had increased odds of developing hyperactivity.

Conclusions:

  • Snoring and symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing are strong predictors of future hyperactive behavior in children.
  • These findings support the hypothesis that untreated sleep-disordered breathing contributes to the development of hyperactivity.
Abstract

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