Snoring In Kids Could Mean Behavior Problems

Date: Aug-13-2012Young children who snore persistently and loud have been identified as being linked to problem behaviors, such as hyperactivity, depression and inattention. The study, which is thought to be the first to examine the relationship between the persistence of snoring and behavior problems in preschool-age children was led by Dean Beebe, PhD, director of the neuropsychology program at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and is published online in the journal Pediatrics.

Dr. Beebe explains:

"The strongest predictors of persistent snoring were lower socioeconomic status and the absence or shorter duration of breastfeeding. This would suggest that doctors routinely screen for and track snoring, especially in children from poorer families, and refer loudly-snoring children for follow-up care. Failing to screen, or taking a 'wait and see' approach on snoring, could make preschool behavior problems worse. The findings also support the encouragement and facilitation of infant breastfeeding."

About one in every 10 children snores loudly and persistently. Dr. Beebe and his team evaluated 249 children, surveying their mothers regarding their children's sleep and behaviors. The found that 2 and 3 year olds who snored loudly at least twice a week had more behavior problems compared with children who either do not snore or those who snored at the age of 2 or 3, but not at both ages.

Dr. Beebe comments:

"A lot of kids snore every so often, and cartoons make snoring look cute or funny. But loud snoring that lasts for months is not normal, and anything that puts young kids at that much risk for behavioral problems is neither cute nor funny. That kind of snoring can be a sign of real breathing problems at night that are treatable. I encourage parents to talk to their child's doctor about loud snoring, especially if it happens a lot and persists over time."

The team discovered that after considering other factors like family income, children who were breastfed, particularly those breastfed over longer periods of time appeared to be protected against persistent snoring.

Written by Petra Rattue

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