Risk for sleep-disordered breathing and executive function in preschoolers.
BACKGROUND
Pediatric sleep-disordered breathing is known to negatively impact cognitive development. While a theoretical basis has been proposed for the developmental effect of pediatric sleep-disordered breathing on executive function specifically, this had not been directly examined among preschool-age children. This population may be particularly vulnerable if school-readiness is compromised. The purpose of the current study was to use a multi-dimensional approach to assessing executive function among preschool-age children at risk for sleep-disordered breathing.


METHODS
Thirty-nine preschool children were administered executive function tasks assessing the dimensions of inhibition, working memory, and planning as part of a larger study. A parent or guardian completed a validated questionnaire concerning the child's snoring and other behaviors indicating risk for sleep-disordered breathing.


RESULTS
After controlling for age in a series of regressions, higher parent-reported risk for sleep-disordered breathing was associated with substantially lower performance on each executive function dimension. In comparing the group means of children at high and low risk for sleep-disordered breathing, the single snoring frequency item also showed that children who snored frequently or almost always had lower performance on each executive function dimension.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that sleep-disordered breathing may be associated with impaired executive function in preschoolers, with its strongest impact on the inhibition dimension, further emphasizing the importance of early intervention for sleep-disordered breathing in this early age group.
Karpinski
Aryn C
AC
West Virginia University, Department of Psychology, Morgantown, West Virginia, WV 26506-6040, USA.
Scullin
Matthew H
MH
Montgomery-Downs
Hawley E
HE
D001288:Attention; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011340:Problem Solving; D012307:Risk Factors; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012913:Snoring / Q000150:complications