Snoring and ADHD in Children May Be Connected

Is there a link between sleep disordered breathing (SBD) in children and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? A new report suggests there may be.

A study of 866 children between the ages of 2 through 13 found that youngsters who frequently snore or have sleep disorders are almost twice as likely to suffer from ADHD than those who sleep well.

"Inattention and hyperactivity among general pediatric patients are associated with increased daytime sleepiness and-especially in young boys-snoring and other symptoms of SDB," wrote Dr. Ronald Chervin, a University of Michigan neurologist and sleep researcher. "If sleepiness and SDB do influence daytime behavior, the current results suggest a major public health impact." 

The study was published in the March 3, 2002 issue of Pediatrics.

 

 

 

National Sleep Foundation