Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
07:54

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Published on: December 6, 2016

Snoring in preschool children: prevalence, severity and risk factors

C E Kuehni1, M-P F Strippoli, E S Chauliac

  • 1Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. kuehni@ispm.unibe.ch

The European Respiratory Journal
|November 23, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Habitual snoring is common in preschool children, affecting nearly 8%. Avoidable factors like parental smoking and socioeconomic status contribute, highlighting the need for early intervention in childhood snoring.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Epidemiology
  • Environmental Health

Background:

  • Epidemiological data on snoring in preschool children is limited.
  • Habitual snoring in early childhood is linked to adverse long-term health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence, severity, and risk factors of snoring, particularly habitual snoring, in preschool children.
  • To identify modifiable risk factors associated with childhood snoring.

Main Methods:

  • Population-based survey of 6,811 children aged 1-4 years in Leicestershire, UK.
  • Parental reporting of snoring, habitual snoring, sleep disturbance, and associated risk factors.
  • Statistical analysis including adjusted odds ratios (OR) for identified risk factors.

Main Results:

  • Snoring reported in 59.7% of children; habitual snoring in 7.9%.
  • Habitual snoring prevalence increased with age (6.6% at 1 yr to 13.0% at 4 yrs).
  • Associated factors included parental smoking (OR 1.46-2.09), road traffic (OR 1.23), single parenthood (OR 1.60), and socioeconomic deprivation in White children (OR 1.25-2.03).
  • Strong associations found with respiratory symptoms, atopic disorders, and viral infections; body mass index was not associated.

Conclusions:

  • Habitual snoring is prevalent in preschool children, with a significant proportion linked to avoidable environmental and social factors.
  • The complex etiology involves respiratory tract vulnerability, atopic disorders, infections, and environmental exposures.
  • Findings underscore the importance of addressing risk factors to mitigate long-term consequences of childhood habitual snoring.

More Related Videos

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood08:20

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood

Published on: October 2, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Sleep Apnea01:21

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops intermittently during sleep, often leading to significant health issues. Each episode can last from 10 to 20 seconds or more and is frequently accompanied by a brief arousal from sleep. This disturbance, largely unnoticed by the individual, can lead to severe daytime fatigue. Commonly, individuals seek help after being informed by their partners about loud snoring and noticeable breathing pauses during sleep.
The condition is more prevalent among...
Nightmares and Night Terrors01:18

Nightmares and Night Terrors

Nightmares and night terrors represent two distinct types of sleep disturbances that differ in timing, characteristics, and the sleeper's recall of the event. Nightmares are vivid, disturbing dreams that usually awaken the sleeper from REM sleep, a stage of sleep where brain activity is high, and dreams are most frequent. Upon awakening, individuals often have detailed recollections of their nightmares, which can include themes of threats to survival, security, or self-esteem.
Nightmares often...
Narcolepsy01:07

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by pervasive, uncontrolled sleepiness and other sleep disturbances. One of its hallmark symptoms is an abrupt transition to REM sleep upon falling asleep, which causes symptoms typically associated with this phase to occur unexpectedly during wakefulness. These include the following symptoms, which typically last from a minute or two to half an hour.
Other Pulmonary Disorders01:17

Other Pulmonary Disorders

Respiratory disorders encompass a range of conditions with varying levels of severity. Asthma, marked by chronic airway inflammation and hypersensitivity, is one such condition. It can lead to airway obstruction due to factors like bronchial spasms, mucosal edema, increased mucus secretion, or epithelial damage. Asthma triggers are diverse, ranging from allergens to emotional upset, and treatment focuses on both immediate relief through bronchodilators and long-term inflammation suppression.
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep01:24

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Tonsillitis I: Introduction01:30

Tonsillitis I: Introduction

Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, which are two lymphoid tissue masses at the back of the throat. This condition can cause discomfort and irritation in the throat.
Etiology
Three primary contributing factors have been identified.