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Analysis of behavioral problems in children with sleep-disordered breathing and decreased REM sleep

Liqiang Yang1, Yilong Zhou1, Jianwen Zhong1

  • 1Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, 518101, Guangdong, China.

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|June 6, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Children with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and less than 10% REM sleep exhibit more severe behavioral issues, particularly externalizing problems. Shorter total sleep time further worsens these behavioral challenges in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Child Psychology
  • Sleep-Disordered Breathing

Background:

  • REM sleep is linked to behavioral problems in children.
  • Previous research indicated children with REM sleep < 10% have severe sleep-disordered breathing (SDB).
  • This study investigates behavioral issues in children with SDB and reduced REM sleep.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize behavioral problems in children with SDB and decreased REM sleep.
  • To compare behavioral scores between children with REM sleep < 10% and REM sleep ≥ 10%.
  • To analyze the correlation between sleep parameters and behavioral issues in children with SDB.

Main Methods:

  • 223 children underwent Polysomnography (PSG) for sleep evaluation.
  • Behavioral problems were assessed using a parent-reported Chinese version of the Child Behavior Checklist.
  • Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) parameters and behavioral scores were compared, controlling for overweight/obesity and obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

Main Results:

  • Children with decreased REM sleep (<10%) exhibited more severe externalizing and total behavioral problems, independent of overweight/obesity.
  • The abnormal behavior group showed significantly shorter total sleep time and REM sleep compared to the normal behavior group.
  • Correlation analysis revealed associations between behavioral problems and sleep parameters.

Conclusions:

  • Children with SDB and reduced REM sleep experience more severe behavioral problems, especially externalizing issues.
  • Insufficient total sleep time exacerbates behavioral problems in this cohort.
  • Decreased REM sleep may be an independent risk factor for behavioral problems in children with SDB.
Abstract

Keywords:
Behavioral problemsChildrenREM sleepSleep-disordered breathing

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