Prevalence of habitual snoring and associated neurocognitive consequences among Chilean school aged children

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2026

Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil
06:48

Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil

Published on: July 29, 2020

Pablo E Brockmann1, Pablo Bertrand, Trinidad Pardo

  • 1Division of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile. pbrockmann@med.puc.cl

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|July 4, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Habitual snoring and symptoms of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) are common in Chilean children and linked to neurocognitive issues. These conditions are associated with hyperactivity and lower school performance, highlighting a need for early detection and intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and habitual snoring are prevalent in school-aged children.
  • These conditions may have significant neurocognitive and academic consequences.
  • Limited data exists on the prevalence and impact of SDB in low-income urban settings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of habitual snoring and SDB symptoms in Chilean school-aged children.
  • To investigate the association between habitual snoring, SDB symptoms, and neurocognitive outcomes, including behavior and academic performance.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Santiago, Chile.
  • A validated parental questionnaire assessed SDB symptoms in 7-17 year olds.
  • Hyperactive behavior was measured using the Conner's rating scale; academic performance was assessed via school grades.

Main Results:

  • The prevalence of habitual snoring was 18% among 523 participants.
  • Habitual snoring and abnormal SDB questionnaire scores correlated with hyperactivity and lower school grades.
  • Children with abnormal SDB scores had a significantly higher risk for poor academic performance in Spanish language and physical education.

Conclusions:

  • Habitual snoring and SDB symptoms are highly prevalent in this Chilean child population.
  • These sleep issues are significantly associated with adverse neurocognitive consequences, including hyperactivity and poor academic outcomes.
  • Findings underscore the importance of screening for SDB in children, particularly in underserved communities.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Assessment of Physical Activity Intensity with Accelerometers and Oxygen Consumption08:45

Assessment of Physical Activity Intensity with Accelerometers and Oxygen Consumption

Published on: June 20, 2025

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...
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,...
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...
Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation01:13

Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation

Insufficient sleep refers to not getting the recommended amount of sleep for optimal functioning, even if it's just slightly less than needed. Sleep insufficiency may occur due to lifestyle choices, such as staying up late for social events or work, resulting in routinely getting less sleep than required. For example, consistently sleeping 6 hours when the body needs 7-9 hours can lead to cumulative effects on health and well-being.
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
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...