[Influence of the physical growth and neuropsychological characteristic in children with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome].

OBJECTIVE:To explore the influence of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) on physical growth and neuropsychological characteristic of children. METHOD:Eighty-two cases with OSAHS were examined by PSG, and divided to mild, moderate and severe group according to AHI, and 40 healthy children were selected as control group. Physical and mental development were evaluated on the basis of growth and neurodevelopmental assessments, respectively. Psychological behavior were assessed by Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Chinese Version and Achenbach Child Behavior checklist. RESULT:(1) The children of mild group were lower than the control group in the height and sitting height. The children of moderate and severe group were significantly lower than the control group in physical growth. (2) The children of mild group showed no difference compared with control group in Wechsler Intelligence Scale test. The moderate group were lower than control group in some test. Mean verbal IQ (VIQ), performance IQ (PIQ) and total scores in cognitive tests for severe groups were within the normal range, but lower than those of controls. (3) Melancholy, disobey, schizophreniform anxiety and offensive behavior were more common in male children with OSAHS than controls. While, offensive behavior, hyperactivity and aggressive behavior were more common in female children with OSAHS than controls. CONCLUSION:The physical growth and neuropsychological characteristic can be influenced by obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome in children, and treatment ought to be done as early in case of the severity of the disease is aggravated.