Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2007 Jul;50(7):602-607.

Effect of Adenotonsillectomy on Inattention and Hyperactivity in Children with Sleep Disordered Breathing

• Lee KH
• Kim KS
• Choi JS
• Lee JB
• Park GH
• Park JO

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is a common problem in otolaryngology and comprises a spectrum of airway disorders that ranges from simple snoring to obstructive sleep apnea. SDB can exhibit problems of behavioral regulation such as inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. We aim to assess the effect of adenotonsillectomy on inattention and hyperactivity before and after adenotonsillectomy in children with SDB.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
We selected 19 pediatric patients with SDB, whose tonsils are of grade III or greater and the adenoid-nasopharyngeal ratio was 70% or more. The degree of inattentiveness and hyperactivity was evaluated by ADHD diagnostic system (ADS), trail making test, Wisconsin card sorting test (WCST) and SNAP-IV rating scale.
RESULTS
There was significant improvement after adenotonsillectomy in the score of auditory ADS, trail making test, WCST, SNAP-IV rating scale. However, no improvement in postoperative visual ADS was observed.
CONCLUSION
Adenotonsillectomy could be recommended to improve inattentiveness and hyperactivity in children with SDB.

Keyword

Sleep disordered breathing; Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Adenoidectomy; Tonsillectomy; Trail making test

MeSH Terms

Adenoidectomy
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity
Child*
Humans
Impulsive Behavior
Otolaryngology
Palatine Tonsil
Sleep Apnea Syndromes*
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive
Snoring
Tonsillectomy
Trail Making Test
Wisconsin