Factors affecting sleep disturbances in children and adolescents

Camhi, Sharon L; Morgan, Wayne J; Pernisco, Natalie; Quan, Stuart F

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Volume 1, Issue 2 , Pages 117-123, 1 April 2000

Factors affecting sleep disturbances in children and adolescents

Sharon L Camhi
- Department of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Respiratory Sciences and Sleep Disorders Centers, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, USA
Wayne J Morgan
- Respiratory Sciences and Sleep Disorders Centers, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Steele Memorial Children's Research Center, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, USA
Natalie Pernisco
- Respiratory Sciences and Sleep Disorders Centers, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, USA
Stuart F Quan
- Department of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Respiratory Sciences and Sleep Disorders Centers, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Corresponding author. Respiratory Sciences Center, University of Arizona College of Medicine, 1501 N. Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA. Fax: +1-520-626-6970

Received 21 September 1999; received in revised form 10 November 1999; accepted 12 November 1999.

Abstract

Objective: To determine factors affecting sleep disturbances in children.

Background: Factors affecting sleep disturbances have been studied extensively in adults, but relatively few studies have been done in children.

Methods: As part of the twelfth survey of the Tucson Epidemiologic Study of Obstructive Airways Disease (TESOAD, 1991–1992), children, ages 3–14, of adult cohort members were administered a health questionnaire which contained items related to sleep problems as well as items related to respiratory diseases and symptoms. Participants were classified as having sleep disturbances if they reported disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep (DIMS), excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) or snoring. Potential factors affecting sleep included age, gender, obesity, asthma, other bronchial problems, cough and sputum production, wheezing and rhinitis.

Results: The overall prevalence rates were 16.8, 4 and 22.9% for DIMS, EDS, and snoring, respectively. We found a significantly higher prevalence of DIMS in 11–14-year-old girls (30.4%) and snoring (32.3%) in 3–6-year-old boys. Certain respiratory factors were more prevalent in children with sleep disturbances. Multivariate analysis revealed that risk factors for DIMS included female gender, age 11–14 and wheezing. The risk for EDS was increased in those children with cough and sputum production. Cough and sputum production also were risk factors for snoring as was rhinitis and age 3–6.

Conclusions: We conclude that in children as in adults, respiratory symptoms are associated with sleep disturbances. Further, the increased insomnia seen in adult women may begin in early adolescence.

Keywords: Children, Sleep disturbances, Snoring, Insomnia, Somnolence, Gender, Respiratory symptoms