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Sleep-disordered breathing in obese children: the southern Italy experience

Luigia Brunetti1, Riccardina Tesse, Vito Leonardo Miniello

  • 1Clinica Pediatrica "S. Maggiore," Policlinico, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11-70124 Bari, Italy. l.brunetti@pediatria3.uniba.it

Chest
|February 9, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Childhood obesity is linked to increased snoring. This study found a higher frequency of habitual snoring in obese children compared to normal-weight or overweight peers, highlighting early-life connections.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Childhood Obesity Research
  • Respiratory Health in Children

Background:

  • Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) associated with obesity, typically seen in adults, originates in childhood.
  • Investigated the link between SDB and overweight/obesity in Southern Italian children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the association between sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and overweight/obesity in a large cohort of school-aged children.
  • To analyze snoring patterns and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) prevalence in relation to body mass index (BMI) categories.

Main Methods:

  • Screened 1207 children (mean age 7.3 years) using questionnaires.
  • Classified children into nonsnorers (NS), occasional snorers (OS), and habitual snorers (HS).
  • HS with abnormal oximetry underwent polysomnography; BMI calculated using Italian growth charts.

Main Results:

  • 809 children were eligible; 5.4% were HS, 17.0% OS, and 77.5% NS.
  • Obesity prevalence was 7.9%, overweight 14.9%, and normal weight 77.2%.
  • Habitual snoring (HS) was significantly more frequent in obese children (12.5%) versus overweight (5.8%) and normal-weight (4.6%) children (P=.02). OSAS prevalence did not significantly differ by weight status.

Conclusions:

  • Obesity is significantly associated with habitual snoring in children.
  • Findings suggest early-life obesity contributes to respiratory disturbances during sleep.
  • Early identification and management of childhood obesity may mitigate sleep-related breathing issues.
Abstract

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