The effects of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) on learn and memory function of 6-12 years old children.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a sleep disorder causing cognitive impairments.

Aims: We use the auditory verbal learning test (AVLT), clock drawing test (CDT), Wechsler intelligence scale for children (WISC) and Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) to evaluate the memory and spatial impairments of OSHAS in 6-12 years old children patients with different severity.

Material And Methods: A total of 137 children of snoring were enrolled following the inclusion criteria of this study. According to the apnea-hypopnea indices (AHI), they were divided into three groups. The AVLT, CDT, WISC and MoCA tests were executed by physicians. The self-rating depression scale (SDS) test was performed for depression screening.

Results: Compared with the children in the primary snoring group, the other two groups had higher body mass index (BMI), longer periods of snoring and older age. The AHI, oxygen desaturation index (ODI) and 90% oxygen saturation (TS90%) showed increasing trends whereas the lowest blood oxygen saturation (LSaO) showed a decreasing trend. Besides, compared with the primary snoring group, the two groups had lower immediate recall scores in AVLT.

Conclusion: AVLT had clinical values for evaluation of impaired memory function in OSAHS children, suggesting a correlation between cognitive impairments and nocturnal hypoxia.