Associations Between Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Behavioral and Cognitive Functions in Children With and Without Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

BACKGROUND

Sleep-related problems are highly prevalent comorbidities in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the associations between sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and behavioral and cognitive functions in children with and without ADHD.

METHODS

A total of 341 children were included (ADHD group: 155, control group: 186; age: 6-10 years). The participants' sleep-related symptoms were assessed using a parent-rated questionnaire, and they were categorized into low- and high-risk SDB groups based on their scores. Behavioral symptoms were assessed using the Behavioral Assessment System for Children, Second Edition (BASC-2), and cognitive sustained attention and inhibitory control were assessed using a computer-based continuous performance test.

RESULTS

In the ADHD group, the high-risk SDB children showed significantly higher scores than the low-risk SDB group in externalizing problems (F = 4.22; P = 0.042), including hyperactivity (F = 4.65; P = 0.033) and attention problems (F = 8.19; P = 0.005), but not internalizing problems. Meanwhile, in the control group, the high-risk SDB children showed significantly higher scores than the low-risk SDB group in internalizing problems (F = 9.89; P = 0.002), depression (F = 9.45; P = 0.002), and somatization (F = 7.83; P = 0.006), as well as in externalizing problems (F = 7.72; P = 0.006), including hyperactivity (F = 6.23; P = 0.013), aggression (F = 5.00; P = 0.027), and conduct problems (F = 6.79; P = 0.010). Contrary to the behavioral outcomes, none of the attention performance subscale scores showed significant differences between the high- and low-risk SDB groups in either the ADHD or control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The present findings suggest that SDB is associated with behavioral problems in children with ADHD and controls, with stronger associations in control children. On the contrary, SDB has no association with cognitive attention performance. This study extends our understanding of the associations of SDB with behavioral symptoms and cognitive functions in children.