Removal of tonsils may aid ADHD kids

Habitual snoring also predicted that a patient would become hyperactive in the future, he said. And it is estimated that between 15 and 25 per cent of children with ADHD would benefit from a diagnosis of sleep disorders.

Some researchers believe children who are deprived of sleep have a strong motivation to stay alert, and will create their own stimulus, including hyperactivity, in order to stay alert, Chervin said.

Still, there is no clear-cut cause-and-effect relationship between sleep disorders and ADHD, and it's not likely that tonsillectomies will be prescribed as a blanket treatment for ADHD.

There are still some puzzles to be solved. For example, children without sleep apnea benefited just as much as those subjects who had sleep apnea.

It's possible that the relationship between sleep disturbance and hyperactivity is a matter of degree, Chervin said.

Read More