Effects of childhood obstructive sleep apnea with and without daytime sleepiness on behaviors and emotions

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with and without excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and behavioral and emotional outcomes in non-obese prepubertal children.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of children aged 5-11 years who presented to our unit for assessment of their sleep-related complaints. All children underwent polysomnography (PSG). They also completed the Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale (PDSS) and a sleep diary. OSA was diagnosed if the obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (OAHI) was ≥1 event/hour. EDS was defined as PDSS >15. Behavioral and emotional outcomes were assessed using the Child Behavioral Checklist (CBCL).

Results: Data from 391 children (mean age of 8.6 ± 1.7 years; 67 % male) were analyzed. Seventy children did not have OSA or EDS, 137 had OSA, 50 had reported having EDS but without OSA, and 134 children had both OSA and EDS. There were significantly higher CBCL total problems score in the combined group (61 ± 9) compared to the non-OSA/EDS group (54 ± 10), and the OSA-only group (54 ± 10) (p < 0.001). The presence of EDS was significantly associated with higher CBCL T score and higher odds for clinically significant behavioral problems (T score ≥65) after adjusting for age, sex, BMI z-score and average sleep duration (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Excessive daytime sleepiness is an important contributory factor associated with suboptimal behavioral and emotional outcomes in children with OSA.

Keywords: Behavioral and emotional outcomes; CBCL; Children; Excessive daytime sleepiness; Obstructive sleep apnea; PDSS.