Sound Sleep Guide

Child Sleep Apnea Can Cause Substantially Lower IQ Scores

Despite the fact that we have known for a long time now that children who have sleep apnea generally display relatively low scores on IQ tests (typically scoring an average of 85 against a score of 101 for children who are not suffering from sleep apnea) one thing that we have have not known until recently is that this arises out of chemical changes within the brain. In other words an otherwise clever kid could well produce an average performance as a result of nothing more than a sleeping problem which, in almost all cases, can be treated fairly easily.

In a recent study undertaken in Baltimore, 31 kids aged between 6 and 16 (19 of whom had been diagnosed with severe sleep apnea) were examined with a special form or MRI and it was found that the children suffering from sleep apnea had important changes in both the hippocampus and right frontal cortex which are parts of the brain which are linked to learning and higher mental function.

The same study also showed that these children were suffering from levels of three brain chemicals which indicated brain damage. This change to the chemistry of the brain brought about by leep apnea may or may not be permanent and, at this point, additional studies are required to see whether this effect can be reversed.

Even if reversal is possible however and the chemistry of the brain and cognitive function can be returned to normal, kids with sleep apnea are going to suffer a loss in learning as long as they are suffering from untreated sleep apnea and they certainly cannot rewind time and regain this learning period.

Parents should of course already be looking out for the signs of sleep apnea in their kids and this study clearly shows that early diagnosis and treatment of this sleep disorder may have a very considerable affect on a child’s success in life.

There are many signs of sleep apnea including frequent pauses in breathing during sleep which frequently result in an arousal from sleep and tossing and turning in bed. Children can also display loud or labored breathing, snoring, gasping, coughing and, sometimes, bedwetting at an age when should normally have passed.

Parents can also observe a child sleeping in a strange position, possible with their bottom sticking up in the air and with their head tilted backwards in an unconscious effort to keep their airway clear.

In most cases child sleep apnea can be treated by removing the tonsils and adenoids, or excess tissue from the back of the throat or nose. In addition, a CPAP machine may also be employed to give the child an airflow delivered using a mask that is worn during sleep to keep the airway open.

In itself sleep apnea is incapacitating for any child and the effect of nights of inadequate sleep are going to take their toll on your child. But, when this is combined with an impairment of your child’s IQ, it is essential that you act at the earliest possible opportunity to have the condition diagnosed and treated.