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Sleep-disordered breathing and behaviors of inner-city children with asthma

Maria Fagnano1, Edwin van Wijngaarden, Heidi V Connolly

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642, USA. maria_fagnano@urmc.rochester.edu

Pediatrics
|July 1, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Children with asthma and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) exhibit more behavioral problems. Early screening for SDB in urban children with asthma can identify those needing further intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Child Psychology
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Asthma is a prevalent chronic condition in urban children.
  • Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) affects a significant portion of the pediatric population.
  • Behavioral problems are common in children with chronic illnesses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and behavioral issues in inner-city children diagnosed with asthma.
  • To determine if SDB is an independent risk factor for behavioral problems in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 194 inner-city children (aged 4-10 years) with asthma participated.
  • Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) was assessed using a modified Sleep-Related Breathing Disorder Questionnaire.
  • Behavioral problems were evaluated using the Behavior Problem Index (BPI) completed by caregivers.

Main Results:

  • 33% of children with asthma exhibited signs of SDB.
  • Children with SDB demonstrated significantly higher scores on the total BPI and multiple behavioral subdomains, including externalizing, internalizing, and anxious/depressed behaviors.
  • These associations remained significant after adjusting for covariates in multiple regression analyses.

Conclusions:

  • Poor sleep, specifically SDB, is independently linked to increased behavioral problems in urban children with asthma.
  • Routine screening for SDB in high-risk pediatric asthma populations is recommended to facilitate early identification and intervention.
Abstract

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