Impact of Adenotonsillar Hypertrophy on Sleep and Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Symptoms in Children

Ahn, Hyun Woong; Hwangbo, Young; Kwon, Young Joon; Jeong, Hee Yeun; Baek, Byung Jun; Lee, Chi Kyu; Shim, Se Hoon

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
: Adenotonsillar hypertrophy is one of the principal causes associated with snoring, sleep apnea, and restless sleep. These sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is associated with hyperactivity, rebellious behavior, aggressiveness, enuresis, inattention, social withdrawal, and learning difficulties. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of adenotonsillar hypertrophy on attention deficit hyperactivity symptoms and sleep-related symptoms in children by standard tests.
METHODS
: Children aged 5 through 15 years old, a total of 65 who were scheduled for Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy, were studied. The control group consisted of 30 healthy children of the same age. In both groups, attention-deficit hyperactivity dis-order (ADHD) was evaluated by Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL). The degree of inattention, hyperactivity and sleep-related symptoms was evaluated by Korean ADHD Rating Scales (K-ARS), ADHD diagnostic system (ADS) and pediatric sleep questionnaire. The K-ARS and sleep questionnaire were completed by the parents of the children.
RESULTS
: Acording to K-SADS-PL, 23 subjects out of 65 subjects in the patient group and 2 subjects out of 30 subjects in the control group were diagnosed with ADHD. According to sleep questionnaires, the patient group reported significantly more problems than the control group. The patients had significantly higher cumulative questionnaire scores than the control group. In linear regression analysis, the cumulative score of sleep questionnaire was associated with inattention subscale scores, hyperactivity/impulsivity subscale scores and the total score of K-ARS, and also with the response time and the standard deviation of response time of ADS. In relation to ADHD, the patient group had significantly higher ADHD scores in K-ARS inattention subscale and significantly slower response time in ADS compared to the control group. Comparing SDB children without ADHD and the control group without ADHD by excluding ADHD children in both groups, SDB children without ADHD did not show significantly higher scores in K-ARS but did show significantly slower ADS response time.
CONCLUSION
: Children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy are associated with increased SDB and ADHD symptoms. Therefore they may need intensive treatment such as surgical intervention.