Despite the fact that we have known for a considerable time now that children who are suffering from sleep apnea normally turn in low scores on IQ tests (in general scoring in the region of 85 as opposed to a score of 101 for children without sleep apnea) what has not been known until very recently is that this results from chemical changes within the brain. What this means is that a naturally 'clever' child may well turn in an average performance because of nothing more than a sleep disorder which can be relatively easily treated in most instances.
In a recent study which was conducted at the Hopkin's Children's Centre 31 children aged between 6 and 16 (19 of whom were suffering from severe sleep apnea) were examined under a special form or magnetic resonance imaging and it was discovered that those children who were suffering from sleep apnea showed significant alterations in both the right frontal cortex and hippocampus - two sections of the brain that are associated with higher mental function and learning. The same study also found that these children had altered levels of three chemicals within the brain that is a sign of brain damage.
This change in the brain chemistry stemming from sleep apnea may or may not be permanent and additional studies are needed to see whether this affect is reversible. Nonetheless, even if this difficulty can be reversed and the cognitive function and brain chemistry can be returned to normal, children with sleep apnea are going to show a loss in learning as long as they are suffering from sleep apnea which is not treated and will certainly be unable to turn back the clock and recover this learning period.
Parents should naturally already be watching for signs of sleep apnea in their children but this study indicates that an early diagnosis of this particular sleep disorder could well have a very significant affect on your child's success in life.
The indicators of sleep apnea might include numerous pauses in breathing while sleeping which often cause an arousal from sleep and tossing and turning. Children may also display labored and loud breathing, snoring, coughing, gasping and, now and again, bedwetting at a time when this period in development should normally have passed. Parents might additionally note that a child is sleeping in an unusual position, perhaps with their bottom sticking up in the air and their head tilted back in an unconscious attempt to force open their airway.
In nearly all instances sleep apnea in children may be treated by the surgical removal of the tonsils and adenoids or excess tissue from the rear of the throat or from the nose. In addition, a CPAP (continuous positive airways pressure) machine could also be recommended to provide a child with a flow of air which is delivered through a mask worn while sleeping to keep the airway open.
Sleep apnea is in itself detrimental to any child and the affects of night after night of poor quality sleep will take a toll on your child's health. But, when you combine this with an impairment of your child's IQ, it becomes vital that you act as fast as possible to have this problem diagnosed and then treated.
Despite the fact that we have known for a long time now that children who have sleep apnea generally display relatively low scores on IQ tests (typically scoring an average of 85 against a score of 101 for children who are not suffering from sleep apnea) one thing that we have have not known until recently is that this arises out of chemical changes within the brain. In other words an otherwise clever kid could well produce an average performance as a result of nothing more than a sleeping problem which, in almost all cases, can be treated fairly easily.
In a recent study undertaken in Baltimore, 31 kids aged between 6 and 16 (19 of whom had been diagnosed with severe sleep apnea) were examined with a special form or MRI and it was found that the children suffering from sleep apnea had important changes in both the hippocampus and right frontal cortex which are parts of the brain which are linked to learning and higher mental function.
The study also showed that these kids had levels of three brain chemicals which were indicative of brain damage. This alteration of the chemistry of the brain brought about by the presence of sleep apnea might or might not be lasting and, at this stage, additional studies are required to see whether or not this effect can be reversed.
However, even if reversal is possible and the brain chemistry and cognitive function can be returned to normal, kids with sleep apnea will suffer learning problems as long as they have untreated sleep apnea and certainly cannot rewind time and regain this learning period.
Of course, parents should already be on the lookout for signs of sleep apnea in their kids and this study clearly indicates that an early diagnosis and treatment of this sleeping disorder could have a significant affect on your child's success in later life.
There are many signs of sleep apnea including frequent pauses in breathing during sleep which frequently result in an arousal from sleep and tossing and turning in bed. Children can also display loud or labored breathing, snoring, gasping, coughing and, sometimes, bedwetting at an age when should normally have passed.
Parents can also observe a child sleeping in a strange position, possible with their bottom sticking up in the air and with their head tilted backwards in an unconscious effort to keep their airway clear.
In the majority of cases sleep apnea in children can be treated by taking out the tonsils and adenoids, or by removing excess tissue from the back of the throat or nose. In addition, a CPAP machine can also be employed to provide the child with an airflow delivered through a mask worn while sleeping to keep the airway open.
Sleep apnea is in itself incapacitating for any kid and the effect of night after night of poor quality sleep will take their toll on your child. However, when this is combined with an impairment of your child's IQ, it becomes vital that you act as soon as you can to get this condition professionally diagnosed and treated.
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