Karen A. Bonuck, Ph.D.April 15, 2015 - BRONX, NY - In a new publication in the journal Pediatrics, Dr. Karen Bonuck discusses her finding that children with disrupted
sleep patterns through five years of age were more likely to have special education
needs (SEN) at eight years old.
Dr. Bonuck found that a prior history of sleep disordered breathing (SDB), coupled
with behavioral sleep problems, were risk factors for SEN. This extends her previous
work, also published in Pediatrics earlier in 2012, which found children with SDB -
which includes snoring, apnea, and open-mouth breathing - were more likely to have
behavioral difficulties.
These reports contribute to the growing knowledge of the
serious effects that sleep disorders can have on cognitive and emotional functions in
children.
Dr. Bonuck is Professor of Family and Social Medicine and of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women’s Health.