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Behavioral consequences of children with sleep-disordered breathing after adenotonsillectomy

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Abstract

Background

Adenotonsillectomy (AT) has been an effective treatment for sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in children, and several studies described the risk of postoperative weight gain and obesity in children treated with AT. The present study aimed to evaluate behavioral improvements in children with SDB one year after adenotonsillectomy and to investigate an influence of postoperative weight gain on behaviors.

Methods

The study included 170 children aged 5–11 years who underwent adenotonsillectomy for SDB and 150 controls. Body mass index percentile was obtained for age and gender, and parental sleep-related breathing disorder (SRBD) questionnaire was used to assess the severity of SDB. Psychological assessment was performed pre- and post-adenotonsillectomy using standardized questionnaires including strength and difficulties questionnaire, children’s depression inventory and screen for child anxiety-related emotional disorder.

Results

The mean age of 170 patients was 7.7 ± 1.5 years with 73 (42.9%) girls and 97 (57.1%) boys. The mean follow-up period were 15.4 ± 2.7 months. The patients had shown significant improvements in SDB scores as well as in questionnaire-based behavioral problems after adenotonsillectomy. The odds of a child being overweight were significantly increased after adenotonsillectomy. Less improvements in hyperactivity and conduct problems were observed in the patients with older ages, higher SRBD scores, and overweight/obesity at 1-year follow-up after adenotonsillectomy.

Conclusion

These data suggest that abnormal behavioral outcomes should be evaluated postoperatively, which potentially could be reduced with the early adenotonsillectomy and adequate postoperative weight control.

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Funding

No funding was secured for this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Otorhinolaryngology Department, CHA University, Seongnam, Korea

    Ji Yoon Kim, Chang Ho Lee & Hyoung-Mi Kim

  2. Otorhinolaryngology Department, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, 351 Yatap-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 463-712, Korea

    Hyoung-Mi Kim

Authors
  1. Ji Yoon Kim
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Contributions

KJY designed and performed the study, and analyzed the data. KHM designed and performed the study, analyzed the data, and wrote the manuscript. LCH analyzed the data. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hyoung-Mi Kim.

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Ethical approval

This study was approved by the hospital ethics committee.

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

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Kim, J.Y., Lee, C.H. & Kim, HM. Behavioral consequences of children with sleep-disordered breathing after adenotonsillectomy. World J Pediatr 14, 57–65 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12519-017-0108-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12519-017-0108-4

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