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Published on: December 6, 2016
Association between mild or moderate obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome and cognitive dysfunction in children
Jing Zhao1, Shujing Han2, Jishui Zhang3
1Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, 100045, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Pediatric Diseases of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, MOE Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, 100045, China.
Insights
Mild to moderate childhood obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) can impair cognitive function, especially in children under six. Early intervention for OSAHS is recommended to prevent lasting cognitive deficits.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Childhood obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a common sleep disorder.
- OSAHS may negatively impact children's cognitive development.
- The association between mild/moderate OSAHS and cognitive dysfunction requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the link between mild or moderate childhood OSAHS and cognitive dysfunction.
- To compare cognitive abilities in children with and without OSAHS.
- To identify specific cognitive domains affected by OSAHS in children.
Main Methods:
- Included 59 children (4-12 years) with mild/moderate OSAHS and 60 healthy controls.
- Utilized China-Wechsler Intelligence Scales to assess cognitive function.
- Stratified analysis for children aged <6 and ≥6 years.
Main Results:
- Children with OSAHS (<6 years) showed lower scores in full-scale IQ, verbal IQ, comprehension, and visual analysis.
- Children with OSAHS (≥6 years) had lower verbal IQ and classification scores.
- Lower nocturnal oxygen saturation in younger children correlated with poorer performance IQ.
Conclusions:
- Mild to moderate childhood OSAHS adversely affects cognitive function, particularly in younger children.
- Findings highlight the need for increased awareness of OSAHS-related cognitive issues.
- Early detection and intervention for childhood OSAHS are crucial.
Background:
Childhood obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), the most common sleep-related breathing disorder, may lead to cognitive impairment. This study aims to investigate the association between mild or moderate childhood OSAHS and cognitive dysfunction.
Methods:
A total of 59 children (4-12 years of age) diagnosed with mild or moderate OSAHS by polysomnography and 60 age- and sex-matched healthy children were included in the study. The China-Wechsler Younger Children Scale of Intelligence and China-Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children were used to evaluate the cognition of the participating children aged <6 years and ≥6 years, respectively.
Results:
In the <6-years-old subgroup, children with OSAHS had significantly lower scores of full-scale IQ (FIQ), verbal IQ (VIQ), comprehension test, and visual analysis than the healthy children (all p < 0.05). In the ≥6-years-old subgroup, VIQ and classification test scores were significantly lower in children with OSAHS than in the healthy controls (all p < 0.05). FIQ, VIQ, and performance IQ (PIQ) scores did not correlate with AHI, OAHI, and the lowest nocturnal SO2. Notably, in the <6-years-old subgroup of OSAHS, the accumulated time of SO2<90% (p = 0.046) and the percentage of the accumulated time of SO2<90% in the total sleep time (p = 0.034) correlated with PIQ negatively and significantly.
Conclusions:
Mild to moderate childhood OSAHS may adversely affect cognitive function, particularly in young children (<6 years of age). This study may increase the awareness of childhood OSAHS-associated cognitive dysfunction and advocate early interventions in childhood OSAHS.
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