Kids Who Snore Act up More

Ronald Chervin Photo: Martin Vloet

Children who snore frequently are nearly twice as likely as other children to have attention and hyperactivity problems, according to a study published in the March 2002 issue of the journal Pediatrics. Conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan, the Univer-sity of Pittsburgh and Stanford University, the results of the study provide solid evidence of a link between sleep problems and behavior in children.

The link is strongest in boys under eight years of age; habitual snorers in this group were over three times more likely than non-snorers to be hyperactive. Based on a survey of the parents of 866 children treated in U-M Health System pediatric clinics, the study is among the largest to explore the connection between sleep and hyperactivity.

While the study does not provide any clues as to whether and how sleep problems might contribute to behavior issues, or vice versa, the evidence of a link between the two is strong enough to warrant further and thorough investigation — says lead author Ronald Chervin, M.D., director of the U-M’s Michael S. Aldrich Sleep Disorders Laboratory and associate professor of neurology in the U-M Medical School.

“If there is indeed a cause-and-effect link, sleep problems in children could represent a major public health issue,” says Chervin. “It’s conceivable that by better identifying and treating children’s snoring and other nighttime breathing problems, we could help address some of the most common and challenging childhood behavioral issues. But more research will be necessary to show whether this is the case.”

Besides Chervin, the study’s authors included former U-M nurse Kristen Hedger Archbold, Ph.D., now at the University of Washington; U-M child psychiatrist James Dillon, M.D; U-M pediatricians Parvis Panahi, M.D., and Kenneth Pituch (M.D. 1981, Residency 1985); and sleep specialists Ronald Dahl, M.D., of the University of Pittsburgh and Christian Guillemenault, M.D., of Stanford University. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the U-M Health System.

—KG

Read the complete press release at:
www.med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/2002/sleepproblems.htm

To learn more about the Michael S. Aldrich Sleep Disorders Laboratory, see:
www.med.umich.edu/neuro/sleep.htm