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Comorbid symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing and behavioral sleep problems from 18-57 months of age: a

Melisa Moore1, Karen Bonuck

  • 1Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Sleep Center, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. mooremel@email.chop.edu

Behavioral Sleep Medicine
|December 5, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Nearly half of young children with obstructive sleep apnea symptoms also have behavioral sleep issues. These co-occurring problems highlight the need for integrated care approaches in pediatric sleep medicine.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Clinical studies indicate a high prevalence of behavioral sleep problems in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
  • A significant gap exists in behavioral recommendations for children diagnosed with OSA.
  • Previous research has primarily focused on clinical samples, necessitating investigation in non-clinical populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To longitudinally investigate the prevalence and comorbidity of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) symptoms and behavioral sleep problems in a non-clinical sample of young children.
  • To identify the peak age for these co-occurring conditions.
  • To inform clinical practice regarding the management of pediatric sleep issues.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study design tracking children over multiple time points.
  • Assessment of symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and behavioral sleep problems.
  • Analysis of data from a non-clinical cohort to reflect broader population trends.

Main Results:

  • The prevalence of SDB symptoms and behavioral sleep problems was nearly identical across all four study time points.
  • A peak age of 30 months was observed for the co-occurrence of these conditions.
  • Between 25% and 40% of children exhibiting SDB symptoms also presented with behavioral sleep problems.

Conclusions:

  • Behavioral sleep problems are highly comorbid with sleep-disordered breathing symptoms in young children, even in non-clinical settings.
  • An interdisciplinary approach integrating behavioral expertise is crucial for comprehensive management of pediatric sleep issues.
  • Early identification and intervention for behavioral sleep problems alongside SDB are recommended for improved child health outcomes.

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