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Factors affecting sleep disturbances in children and adolescents

Camhi1, Morgan, Pernisco

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, USA

Sleep Medicine
|April 18, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Respiratory symptoms significantly impact children's sleep disturbances, including disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep (DIMS) and snoring. Female gender and wheezing increase DIMS risk, while cough and sputum production are linked to EDS and snoring.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Respiratory Health in Children
  • Epidemiology of Sleep Disorders

Background:

  • Sleep disturbances are well-researched in adults but understudied in pediatric populations.
  • Understanding pediatric sleep issues is crucial for overall child health and development.
  • Previous research highlights links between respiratory conditions and sleep problems in adults.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify key factors contributing to sleep disturbances in children aged 3-14.
  • To investigate the relationship between respiratory symptoms and sleep problems.
  • To explore age and gender-specific prevalence of sleep disturbances.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the Tucson Epidemiologic Study of Obstructive Airways Disease (TESOAD) survey (1991-1992).
  • Administered health questionnaires to children (ages 3-14) assessing sleep problems and respiratory symptoms.
  • Classified sleep disturbances as disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep (DIMS), excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), or snoring.

Main Results:

  • Prevalence rates: 16.8% for DIMS, 4% for EDS, and 22.9% for snoring.
  • Higher DIMS prevalence in 11-14-year-old girls (30.4%) and snoring in 3-6-year-old boys (32.3%).
  • Multivariate analysis identified female gender, age 11-14, and wheezing as risk factors for DIMS; cough/sputum for EDS and snoring; rhinitis and age 3-6 for snoring.

Conclusions:

  • Respiratory symptoms are significantly associated with sleep disturbances in children, mirroring adult findings.
  • Early adolescence may be a critical period for the onset of gender-specific sleep issues, such as increased insomnia in girls.
  • Findings underscore the importance of addressing respiratory health to improve pediatric sleep quality.

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