Breathing Issues Linked with Health Concerns

Data from 2 studies showed seriousconcern for infants and childrenwith breathing problems during sleep.A study conducted by the NationalInstitute of Child Health and HumanDevelopment found that 1-year-oldswith sleep apnea or slow heart ratewhile sleeping scored lower on mentaldevelopment tests, compared withother children the same age.

The second study, mainly fundedby the National Heart, Lung, andBlood Institute, showed that 5-year-oldchildren who had frequent snoring,loud or noisy breathing duringsleep, or sleep apneas scored loweron intelligence, memory, and otherstandard cognitive tests than other 5-year-olds. In addition, these childrenwere more likely to have behaviorproblems.