211 - Hyperactive Behavior and Oral Clinical Findings Associated with Sleep-disordered Breathing

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine if there is a correlation between hyperactivity and oral clinical findings associated with sleep-disordered breathing.  

Methods: An observational study was conducted of 72 children ages 6-12 years old during dental examinations at the UTHSC pediatric dental clinics. Study participants’ guardians completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) to measure patient behaviors on five scales: emotional problems, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, peer problems, and prosocial. A functional airway evaluation screening tool (FAIREST-6) was used to assess risk for development of sleep-disordered breathing. SDQ hyperactivity scores were then correlated with FAIREST-6 scores with Spearman’s correlation and cross-tabulation analyses. 

Results:  12.5% of participants were considered high risk for developing sleep-disordered breathing. 16% of study participants were categorized as high hyperactivity. Spearman’s analysis showed no significant correlation between high FAIREST-6 scores and high hyperactivity. 

Conclusion: There is no significant correlation between the study population's oral clinical findings associated with sleep-disordered breathing and hyperactivity.