Obstructive sleep apnea and oral language disorders

Camila De Castro Corrêa,Maria Gabriela Cavalheiro,Luciana Paula Maximino,Silke Anna Theresa Weber

doi:10.1016/j.bjorl.2016.01.017

Camila De Castro Corrêa, Maria Gabriela Cavalheiro + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjorl.2016.01.017

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Abstract

IntroductionChildren and adolescents with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may have consequences, such as daytime sleepiness and learning, memory, and attention disorders, that may interfere in oral language. ObjectiveTo verify, based on the literature, whether OSA in children was correlated to oral language disorders. MethodsA literature review was carried out in the Lilacs, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases using the descriptors “Child Language” AND “Obstructive Sleep Apnea”. Articles that did not discuss the topic and included children with other comorbidities rather than OSA were excluded. ResultsIn total, no articles were found at Lilacs, 37 at PubMed, 47 at Scopus, and 38 at Web of Science databases. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, six studies were selected, all published from 2004 to 2014. Four articles demonstrated an association between primary snoring/OSA and receptive language and four articles showed an association with expressive language. It is noteworthy that the articles used different tools and considered different levels of language. ConclusionThe late diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea is associated with a delay in verbal skill acquisition. The professionals who work with children should be alert, as most of the phonetic sounds are acquired during ages 3–7 years, which is also the peak age for hypertrophy of the tonsils and childhood OSA.

Highlights

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is characterized by partial and/or complete upper airway obstruction during sleep, associated with increased respiratory effort, fragmented sleep, and/or gas exchange abnormalities.[1,2] There are differences in what is observed in adults versus children with respect to pathophysiology, clinical features and treatment.[2]
A key feature of current studies on OSA is an interdisciplinary approach reflecting the varied and heterogeneous impairments that this condition may cause; treatment requires a holistic view of the individual for greatest effectiveness
We observed that the selected articles on ORAL LANGUAGE were published only recently

Summary

Introduction

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is characterized by partial and/or complete upper airway obstruction during sleep, associated with increased respiratory effort, fragmented sleep, and/or gas exchange abnormalities.[1,2] There are differences in what is observed in adults versus children with respect to pathophysiology, clinical features and treatment.[2]. Treatment differs from that of adults: adenotonsillectomy is considered the gold standard treatment and, when performed for the proper indications, it benefits the child with respect to neuropsychological, behavioral, and quality of life issues; obese children exhibit a lower rate of success.[5,6]

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