Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Physical Activity Measurement in Children Accepting Table Tennis Training
06:51

Physical Activity Measurement in Children Accepting Table Tennis Training

Published on: July 27, 2022

Trapped Between Fatigue and Feelings: How Paediatric OSAS Affects Physical Activity and Emotion Recognition

M Esposito1, M Ruberto2, L Nucci3

  • 1Sleep Lab for Developmental Age, Clinic of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Clinic, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.

European Journal of Paediatric Dentistry
|June 9, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) show impaired emotion recognition and cognitive deficits. Early diagnosis and treatment of pediatric OSAS are crucial for mitigating these effects.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Neuropsychology
  • Child Neurology

Background:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is increasingly recognized in children.
  • The impact of pediatric OSAS on cognitive and emotional development requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess emotion recognition abilities in children with OSAS.
  • To explore neurocognitive alterations associated with pediatric OSAS.
  • To understand the relationship between OSAS and brain changes in children.

Main Methods:

  • Fifty children (6-11 years) with OSAS and 50 controls underwent polysomnography.
  • Emotion recognition testing (TEC) and physical activity monitoring were performed.
  • Neurocognitive assessments included brain morphology, EEG, and metabolic markers.

Main Results:

  • Children with OSAS demonstrated significant deficits in emotion recognition compared to controls.
  • OSAS was associated with structural and functional brain alterations.
  • These neurocognitive changes correlate with the severity of OSAS.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric OSAS negatively affects emotion recognition and neurocognitive functions.
  • Brain structural and functional alterations underlie these deficits in children with OSAS.
  • Early diagnosis and treatment of pediatric OSAS are essential to prevent long-term cognitive and emotional impairments.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Conscious and Non-conscious Representations of Emotional Faces in Asperger's Syndrome08:31

Conscious and Non-conscious Representations of Emotional Faces in Asperger's Syndrome

Published on: July 31, 2016

Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood08:09

Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood

Published on: February 11, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Sleep Apnea01:21

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops intermittently during sleep, often leading to significant health issues. Each episode can last from 10 to 20 seconds or more and is frequently accompanied by a brief arousal from sleep. This disturbance, largely unnoticed by the individual, can lead to severe daytime fatigue. Commonly, individuals seek help after being informed by their partners about loud snoring and noticeable breathing pauses during sleep.
The condition is more prevalent among...
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Inspection01:27

Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Inspection

Physical assessment of the respiratory tract through inspection is a crucial step in understanding the patient's respiratory health. It provides insights into the functioning of the respiratory system, the musculoskeletal structure, and even the patient's nutritional status. This comprehensive approach involves observing several vital aspects: chest configuration, breathing patterns, respiratory rates, skin color, and use of accessory muscles.
Chest Configuration
The chest configuration can...
Acute Respiratory Failure-IV01:23

Acute Respiratory Failure-IV

Respiratory failure can manifest suddenly or gradually, characterized by a rapid decline in PaO2 and a rapid rise in PaCO2. This situation indicates a severe respiratory problem that may quickly become a life-threatening emergency. One of the early signs of hypoxemic Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF) is a change in mental status due to the brain's sensitivity to oxygen levels and changes in acid-base balance. Symptoms such as restlessness, confusion, and agitation suggest inadequate oxygen...
Nightmares and Night Terrors01:18

Nightmares and Night Terrors

Nightmares and night terrors represent two distinct types of sleep disturbances that differ in timing, characteristics, and the sleeper's recall of the event. Nightmares are vivid, disturbing dreams that usually awaken the sleeper from REM sleep, a stage of sleep where brain activity is high, and dreams are most frequent. Upon awakening, individuals often have detailed recollections of their nightmares, which can include themes of threats to survival, security, or self-esteem.
Nightmares often...
Special considerations while measuring oxygen saturation01:19

Special considerations while measuring oxygen saturation

Assessing respiratory rate concurrently with pulse measurement is fundamental to patient care, providing valuable insights into the patient's respiratory function. The normal breathing rate for an adult usually falls within a normal range of 12 to 20 breaths per minute. Abnormal respiratory rates can signal underlying health conditions or the need for immediate intervention.
Ensuring accuracy in vital sign recordings while prioritizing patient comfort and minimizing anxiety is important. 
Coping Strategies: Emotion Focused01:20

Coping Strategies: Emotion Focused

Emotion-focused coping refers to a set of strategies aimed at managing the emotional impact of stressors, rather than directly addressing their causes. This approach involves altering one's emotional response to stressful situations to reduce their psychological effects. For example, individuals might talk with a friend or engage in activities like journaling to express their feelings. Such actions can help achieve emotional clarity or release, providing the psychological stability needed to...