Sleep disordered breathing from preschool to early adult age and its neurocognitive complications: A preliminary report

Abstract

Objective:The onset and development of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) remains unclear in an age -dependent manner. Despite treatment, persistent symptoms such as snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness, as well as cognitive impairment may be present. The aim of the research was to determine the prevalence of residual symptoms of SDB in adolescence and early adulthood, the predisposing factors and its neurocognitive complications. Methods: In the present pilot studycohort, a questionnaire was utilized to 154 people (average age: 17.9 ± 3), who as children (mean age: 5.3 ± 1.4) had AHI ≥2.5 episodes/h. They were divided into two groups based on AHI = 5 episodes/h. Depending on the results, they were invited to undergo a repeated polysomnography (PSG) and complete the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test. Statistical analysis was made with IBM SPSS software. Results: Out of the total, 35.7% claimed to still snore. AHI was negatively correlated to the severity of residual symptoms (Mann-Witney U test, p <0.005). According to repeated PSGs, 9/17 met the criteria for OSAS, while high BMI was associated with the severity of new AHI (chi squared test, p<0.005). Additionally, 7/16 scored below the MoCA baseline (<26/30). The characteristics of cognitive declines were mapped, with most prominent having been visuospatial, short -term memory and naming/language deficits. Discussion: A significant percentage of children with sleep breathing disorder present with residual symptoms during their transition to early adulthood, as well as undiagnosed neurocognitive complications. Clinicians suspicion for the underlying neurocognitive complications is required, even in young adults, while guidelines on monitoring pediatric OSAS patients after treatment should be addressed.

The Comparison of the Sleep Structure and Sleep Spindle Activity in Children With Primary Snoring and Sleep-Disordered Breathing

“…Although snoring constitutes the major clinical symptom of OSAS both in adults and in children, it may not accompany pediatric OSAS in about 11% to 45% of patients. 1,23 We also observed that the sleep spindle activity did not show significant differences in children with OSAS with and without snoring. It seems that further data are needed to delineate whether primary snoring is a normal variant without significant clinical correlations or disease with hazardous consequences, for which further studies with larger study samples are needed.…”

Athletes with mild post-COVID-19 symptoms experience increased respiratory and metabolic demands: Α cross-sectional study

“…. 30 Sleep deprived athletes are prone to both injuries and affected perceptual ability with slower reaction times. .…”

Elements of Sleep Breathing and Sleep-Deprivation Physiology in the Context of Athletic Performance

“…A sleep-deprived brain fails to recuperate neurons, undermining cognitive performance. General cognitive assessment tests unveil the cognitive phenotype of SD, especially in attention and short-term memory, as they anatomically overlap [ 36 , 37 ]. Furthermore, SD, in the context of sleep apnea, affects learning and memory [ 38 , 39 ] ( Table 1 ).…”