Reference
Combs, Daniel, et al. “{OSA} and Neurocognitive Impairment in Children With Congenital Heart Disease”. Chest, vol. 158, no. 3, Sept. 2020, pp. 1208–1217.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) have an
increased risk of neurocognitive impairment. No prior studies
have evaluated the role of OSA, which is associated with
neurocognitive impairment in children without CHD. RESEARCH
QUESTION: Is OSA is associated with neurocognitive impairment in
children with CHD? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Children aged 6 to
17 years with corrected moderate to complex CHD without
syndromes that may affect neurocognition were recruited from the
pediatric cardiology clinic. Participants underwent home sleep
testing and neurocognitive testing, including a validated
Intellectual Quotient (IQ) test as well as validated tests of
memory (Paired Associates Learning test), executive function
(Intra-Extra Dimensional set shift test), and attention (Simple
Reaction Test) from the CANTAB neurocognitive testing battery.
RESULTS: Complete results were available for 30 children.
Seventeen children (57%) were found to have OSA. Total IQ was
markedly lower in children with CHD and comorbid OSA compared
with children with CHD without comorbid OSA (mean, 86 $\pm$ 12
vs 98 $\pm$ 11; P = .01). Children with CHD and OSA did
significantly worse on the Paired Associates Learning test, with
a median of eight total errors (interquartile range [IQR],
2.25-15) compared with children with CHD without OSA (median
total errors, 2, IQR, 1-8; P = .02). INTERPRETATION: Children
with CHD and comorbid OSA have impaired neurocognition compared
with children with CHD without comorbid OSA. OSA may be a
reversible cause of neurocognitive impairment in children with
CHD. Further research is needed to evaluate the effects of OSA
treatment on neurocognitive impairment in children with CHD.