Is there a link between sleep disordered breathing (SBD) in children and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? A new report suggests there may be. A study of 866 children between the ages of 2-13 found that youngsters who frequently snore or have sleep disorders are almost twice as likely to suffer from ADHD than those who sleep well.

"Inattention and hyperactivity among general pediatric patients are associated with increased daytime sleepiness and—especially in young boys-snoring and other symptoms of SDB," wrote Dr. Ronald Chervin, a University of Michigan neurologist and sleep researcher. "If sleepiness and SDB do influence daytime behavior, the current results suggest a major public health impact."

The study was published in the March 3 issue of Pediatrics (www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/abstract/109/3/449).

The current NSF Alert with graphics is available at www.sleepfoundation.org/alert.html.

Dr. Chervin is also the lead author for a study investigating connections between ADHD and restless legs syndrome (RLS) and periodic limb movements (PLMS) in children. A survey of parents of children between 2 and 14 showed "substantial associations between inattentive, hyperactive behavior and symptoms of PLMS and RLS," Dr. Chervin said.

Check out the study in the March 15 issue of SLEEP (www.journalsleep.org).

For more information on sleep and sleep disorders, check out the National Sleep Foundation's Web Site at www.sleepfoundation.org