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Impact of obesity on cognitive outcome in children with sleep-disordered breathing

Ottavio Vitelli1, Alessandra Tabarrini1, Silvia Miano2

  • 1Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sense Organs Department, Paediatric Sleep Disorder Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, La Sapienza' University, Rome.

Sleep Medicine
|April 12, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Obesity worsens cognitive impairment in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The combined effects of obesity and OSA accelerate cognitive decline and complications in affected children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Obesity Research

Background:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is increasingly recognized as a factor affecting child development.
  • The impact of obesity on cognitive function in children, particularly those with OSA, requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the cognitive impact of obesity in children diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
  • To compare cognitive function among children with OSA, children with OSA and obesity, and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • Cognitive function was evaluated using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Third Edition Revised (WISC-III) in 36 children with OSA, 38 with OSA and obesity, and 58 controls.
  • Attention deficit and hyperactivity symptoms were assessed via parent questionnaires.
  • Polysomnography was conducted for children with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB).

Main Results:

  • Children with OSA and obesity exhibited significantly lower Total IQ (T-IQ) and Performance IQ (P-IQ) scores compared to other groups.
  • In obese children with OSA, Verbal IQ (V-IQ) correlated with age of onset and SDB duration; P-IQ and T-IQ correlated with BMI percentile and Respiratory Disturbance Index (RDI).
  • RDI and BMI negatively influenced T-IQ in obese children with OSA.

Conclusions:

  • Obesity exacerbates cognitive impairment in children with obstructive sleep apnea.
  • Obesity acts synergistically with OSA, potentially accelerating the onset of cognitive complications.
Abstract

Keywords:
ChildrenCognitive impairmentObesitySleep-disordered breathing

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