In the first study of its kind, pre-school children who snored had a higher risk for mood disorders and learning and developmental problems.

The research was done at the Helsinki Univeristy Central Hospital in Finland. 43 pre-schoolers, with an average age of 5, who snored were compared with 46 other kids who did not snore.

Overall, the snorers had a 22 percent higher rate of mood disorders, which were severe enough to require treatment. Some of the children who snored were also anxious and depressed and others had language skills and attention problems.

The lead researcher said, "The results of our study bring out snoring as a possible risk factor for mood problems and cognitive impairment in children."

The research will be widely shared with family doctors in the hopes of early diagnosis and correcticve treatment.