A member asked:

Can obstructive sleeep apnea cause mild autism?

4 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Dr. Brian Affleck answered

Specializes in ENT and Head and Neck Surgery

No: Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by upper airway collapse or flaccidity. It can also be due to enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Autistic patients can suffer from osa, but osa has not be found to cause autism, although children with autism can have worsened autistic symptoms from untreated osa.

Answered 1/9/2017

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No: Autism is a neurological disorder involving a lack of emotional and social involvement with people and the environment . Obstructive sleep apnea does not produce this lack of emotional involvement . It may contribute to a lack of socializing due to fatigue from not getting sufficient restful sleep.

Answered 12/21/2014

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