# Impact of High Risk of Obstructive Sleep-Disordered Breathing on School Performance in Pediatric Age Group: A Cross-Sectional Study

## TL;DR

This study shows that children with a high risk of obstructive sleep-disordered breathing tend to perform worse in school, especially boys.

## Contribution

The study establishes a strong correlation between obstructive sleep-disordered breathing and poor academic performance in children.

## Key findings

- Children with high risk of OSDB had significantly lower academic grades.
- The prevalence of OSDB was higher in males compared to females.
- A strong negative correlation was found between PSQ-SRBD scores and academic performance.

## Abstract

Background

We investigated the effects of high risk of obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (OSDB) on school performance in children aged six to 18 years in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia.

Methodology

In this cross-sectional study, data were collected using an online questionnaire, which included questions on sociodemographic details, pediatric sleep questionnaire-sleep-related breathing disorder (PSQ-SRBD) scale, and academic performance metrics. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the associations between high risk of OSDB and academic achievements.

Results

The study sample comprised 145 (52%) males and 176 (48%) females, with a significant prevalence of OSDB (31.58%). The results indicated a negative correlation between PSQ-SRBD scores and academic grades, with correlation values ranging from -0.28 to -0.369 (p < 0.001). Children with high risk of OSDB were more likely to have lower academic grades, with significant differences in the academic grades between children with and without OSDB. The prevalence of high risk of OSDB was higher in males (63.4% vs. 45.5%; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

OSDB significantly affects the academic performance in children, with a higher incidence in males. A strong correlation was observed between high risk of OSDB severity and lower academic achievement. These findings emphasize the importance of recognizing and addressing the high risk of OSDB in children to improve their educational outcomes.