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Neurocognitive deficits in morbidly obese children with obstructive sleep apnea

S K Rhodes1, K C Shimoda, L R Waid

  • 1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425-0742, USA.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|November 1, 1995
PubMed

Insights

Morbidly obese children with obstructive sleep apnea showed impaired learning, memory, and vocabulary. Apneic/hypopneic events correlated with poorer cognitive performance in all obese children studied.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Neuroscience
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Obesity is a growing public health concern in children.
  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common in obese children.
  • Cognitive deficits associated with OSA are well-documented in adults.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate neurocognitive abilities in morbidly obese children.
  • To determine if obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) impacts cognitive function in this population.
  • To explore the relationship between OSA severity and cognitive performance.

Main Methods:

  • Neurocognitive functions were assessed in 14 morbidly obese children.
  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was diagnosed using polysomnography.
  • Cognitive measures included learning, memory, and vocabulary assessments.

Main Results:

  • Children with OSA exhibited deficits in learning, memory, and vocabulary.
  • These cognitive impairments in OSA patients mirrored findings in adult populations.
  • A significant inverse relationship was observed between apneic/hypopneic events and memory/learning performance across all participants.

Conclusions:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) negatively affects neurocognitive abilities in morbidly obese children.
  • Cognitive deficits in obese children with OSA are comparable to those seen in adults.
  • The frequency of breathing events during sleep is linked to poorer cognitive outcomes in this vulnerable group.

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