SAC

Sleep Asthma Cohort

Sleep disordered breathing is common in children with sickle cell disease. The risk of hypoxic exposure due to complications such as chest crisis and sleep apnoea causes airway obstruction. Intermittent hypoxia could affect life-long brain development and functional architecture and connectivity of the brain crucial for executive control and overall cognitive functioning. Interestingly, lower morning cortisol, a hormone important for sufficient day time functioning disrupted by insufficient sleep, has been shown to contribute to lower academic attainment and inflammation.

The aim of the follow-up SAC study is to understand the relationship between sleep and cognitive functioning. We will use a developed sleep and pain App that enables the participant to record their sleep and pain behaviour for one week. During this time they will wear a sleep watch, take saliva samples on one day and have a neuropsychological assessment. Additionally the participant can take part in an MRI brain scan and a at home sleep study.