Does Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children Cause Learning Problems?

A research study published in the August issue of the Public Library of Science Medicine has reported a link between severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in chldren and neurological and metabolic factors that have been implicated in poorer cognitive functioning.  A team of researchers from John Hopkins University examined 19 children diagnosed with OSA who ranged in age from 6 to 16 and compared them to 12 children in the same age range who acted as controls. In addition to polysomnography and neuropsychological assessment, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging was used to examine brain metabolism.  Results indicated that children with severe OSA had significant IQ and executive functioning deficits compared to controls as well as metabolic changes in the brain suggestive of neurological impairment.  The results highlight the need for early diagnosis and treatment for childhood OSA.

The full text of the journal article can be found here.