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Increased externalizing and internalizing problems in children with sleep-disordered breathing

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 August 2021

E. Csábi*
Affiliation:
Cognitive And Neuropsychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
P. Benedek
Affiliation:
Sleep Lab, Heim Pál Children’s Hospital, Budapest, Hungary
V. Gaál
Affiliation:
Department Of Paediatrics, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

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Introduction

Sleep-disordered Breathing (SDB) is a spectrum disorder ranging from primary snoring to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). One of the most common sleep-disorder in childhood, however remarkably little is known of the effect of SDB on behavioral functions.

Objectives

The aim of our study to investigate the behavioral consequences of SDB compared to children with no history of sleep disorders.

Methods

Two hundred thirty-four children aged 4-10 years participated in the study. The SDB group consists seventy-eight children, sixty-one of the them with OSA and seventeen with primary snoring (average age: 6,7 (SD = 1,83), 32 female/46 male), One hundred fifty-six children participated in the control group (average age: 6,57 years (SD = 1,46), 80 female/76 male). The two groups were matched by age and gender. We used the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale, Strength and Difficulty Questionnaire, and Child Behavior Checklist to assess the behavioral functions. Furthermore, the OSA-18 Questionnaire was administrated to support the diagnosis of SDB.

Results

According to our results, children with SDB showed a significantly higher level of anxiety and depression and demonstrated significantly higher externalizing (such as attentional problems, hyperactivity, or social problems) and internalizing behavior problems (aggression, rule-breaking behavior).

Conclusions

Due to the neurobehavioral consequences, our finding underlines the importance of the early diagnosis and treatment of sleep-disorder breathing.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Type
Abstract
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the European Psychiatric Association
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