Sleep Spindles Characteristics In Children With OSA And Their Relation To Cognition

Aim:Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea(OSA)is associated with impairment in a range of cognitive domains.Sleep spindles are potential markers of cognitive impairment.It is possible to identify OSA children with cognitive impairment by describing sleep spindles characteristics.We aimed to investigate the characteristics of sleep spindles and cognitive characteristics in children with OSA,and to explore the potential of sleep spindles as a biomarker of cognitive function in children with OSA.Methods:In the present study,a total of 54 suspected OSA children(aged from 5 to 14 years)were enrolled.All children received polysomnography overnight.They were divided into four groups based on their polysomnography results:primary snoring(PS)group and mild,moderate,and severe OSA.The cognitive function was evaluated by the Das-Naglieri cognitive assessment system.The characteristics of sleep spindles and cognitive function between primary snoring group and OSA groups were compared,and the correlation between sleep spindles and cognitive function were further analyzed.Results:①The number and density of sleep spindles in different degrees of OSA groups were generally lower than those in PS group,and the difference between moderate and severe OSA group and PS group was statistically significant.OAHI was negatively correlated with the decrease in the number and density of sleep spindles.②There was no significant difference in the number and density of sleep spindles between genders within the PS,mild,moderate and severe OSA groups(p>0.05).③Compared with the PS group,children with different degrees of OSA had no significant differences in the scores on planning and attention subscales of the Das-Naglieri Cognitive Assessment System,as well as total scores,except for a statistical difference between groups in the planning coding subtest.④Correlation analysis showed no correlation between the number and density of sleep spindles and the scores in planning and attention subscales of Das-Naglieri Cognitive Assessment System,as well as total scores.Conclusions:①Comparing the number and density of sleep spindles in children with OSA and PS,we found that sleep spindles abnormalities in children were associated with the development of OSA.②Children with OS A were similar to children with PS in terms of planning,attention and general cognition.③The lack of a favorable correlation between the number and density of sleep spindles and cognitive measures does not enable the usage of sleep spindles as a biomarker of cognitive function in children with OSA.