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Neurocognitive functioning in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: a pilot study of positive airway

Harry C Yuan1, Eugene Y Sohn, Tania Abouezzeddine

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Journal of Pediatric Nursing
|October 30, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) experience neurocognitive deficits. Positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy improved memory and processing speed in a small group of children with OSAS.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Neuropsychology

Background:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is linked to neurocognitive impairments in adults.
  • Limited research exists on the neurocognitive effects of OSAS in children.
  • Understanding these effects is crucial for effective pediatric intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess neurocognitive function in children with OSAS before and after treatment.
  • To determine if positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy can ameliorate cognitive deficits.
  • To correlate sleep quality and daytime sleepiness with neurocognitive outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Recruited 21 children with suspected/documented OSAS.
  • Administered sleep questionnaires (ESS, CSHQ, PSQI) and comprehensive neurocognitive tests.
  • Assessed cognitive domains including intelligence, executive function, attention, and memory.
  • Re-evaluated a subset of 4 participants after completing PAP therapy.

Main Results:

  • Pre-therapy assessments revealed widespread neurocognitive deficiencies in children with OSAS.
  • Sleep questionnaires indicated significant daytime sleepiness and sleep-disordered breathing.
  • Post-PAP therapy, the 4 re-evaluated children showed improvements in memory and motor speed.
  • These preliminary findings suggest a link between sleep improvement and cognitive recovery.

Conclusions:

  • Children with OSAS exhibit significant neurocognitive deficits.
  • PAP therapy shows promise in reducing these deficits, particularly in memory and processing speed.
  • Addressing sleep impairments is vital for improving cognitive function in pediatric OSAS.

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