Behavioral sleep disturbances in children clinically referred for evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea.
OBJECTIVE
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and behavioral sleep disturbances (BSD) are known to have a negative health impact on children. OSA and BSD may coexist; however, such comorbidity is not fully appreciated in clinical settings.


METHODS
Patients referred for OSA evaluation completed polysomnography and the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire. Prevalence estimates for clinically significant BSD were computed and comorbidity of BSD and OSA was examined. Chart reviews were completed to determine if BSD were addressed in the medical treatment plan.


RESULTS
Over one-half of the sample had a clinically significant BSD. Patients with comorbid OSA and BSD represented 39.46% of the sample. In 36-54% of the patients with a clinically significant BSD, no plan to treat the BSD was documented in the patient's medical record.


CONCLUSIONS
Children referred for evaluation of OSA have a high likelihood of experiencing clinically significant BSD irrespective of OSA diagnosis. Sleep medicine clinicians should be careful not to overlook the potential impact of BSD even after a child has been formally diagnosed with OSA. Physician knowledge of empirically supported behavioral sleep treatments or access to behavioral sleep medicine services is an essential component of comprehensive care for children clinically referred for OSA evaluation.
Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, ML 2021, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA. Kelly.Byars@cchmc.org
Kelly
K
Byars
Polporn
P
Apiwattanasawee
Anchalee
A
Leejakpai
Suwat
S
Tangchityongsiva
Narong
N
Simakajornboom
D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D017286:Polysomnography; D015995:Prevalence; D012890:Sleep; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires