Obstructive sleep apnea and behavior

Article Outline

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There have been many studies that have documented an association between obstructive sleep apnea and adverse behavior and developmental delay. There is no doubt that, in most cases, relief of upper airway obstruction results in improved sleep and reduced obstruction. Constantin, and others at Montreal Children’s Hospital have completed an investigation of whether adeno-tonsilectomy for obstructive sleep apnea improves behavior. This was assessed retrospectively using the Conner’s Parent Rating Scale-Revised. In the 138 complete questionnaires that were returned, compared to controls, parents of children who had adeno-tonsilectomy reported improvements in sleep, breathing, and quality of life, but no improvements in concentration, school performance, and intellectual or developmental progress, either short or long-term. The authors discuss the lack of improvement in behavioral outcomes and whether recall or observer bias could explain the lack of effect.