Data from a long-term
sleep apnea study seems to strengthen the link between obstructive sleep
apnea (OSA) and behavior and learning problems in children.
A review of data from a
sleep apnea study involving 263 children between the ages of 6 and 11 indicates
that children with OSA may suffer from higher rates attention-deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), many instances of which go undiagnosed. OSA and
ADHD are often shared in children, and previous research has suggested that
children with sleep apnea experience higher rates of behavior problems and
learning disabilities.
The initial study,
known as the Tucson Children’s Assessment of Sleep Apnea Study, found that 21
children demonstrated persistent sleep apnea while another 23 developed signs
of sleep apnea during the study. A recent five-year follow-up with the
participants revealed some good news: 41 of the children who presented with
signs of sleep apnea no longer experienced breathing problems during sleep.
However, children who
showed signs of sleep apnea during the study also had a higher rate of behavior
and learning problems. The full findings of the research, which was led by an
assistant professor at the University of Tucson, will be published in the April
issue of the journal Sleep.
If your child—or any
member of your family—snores regularly or has other symptoms of sleep
apnea, a knowledgeable dentist may be able to help. There are a number of
comfortable and effective sleep apnea
treatments available.
Left untreated, OSA can
lead to worsening problems, including an increased risk for severe health
problems such as hypertension and heart attack.