title: Sleep problems and obstructive sleep apnea in children with down syndrome, an overwiew.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Children with Down syndrome (DS) have a high prevalence of sleep problems, including behavioural sleep disturbances and obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep problems are associated with a wide range of adverse health effects. Since children with DS are already known to have many comorbidities, they are particularly susceptible for the negative impact of sleep problems. Aim of this study is (1) to evaluate the prevalence of sleep problems in children with DS, (2) compare the prevalence of sleep problems in children with DS with a community sample of typical developing school-aged children, and (3) to correlate the existence of sleep problems in children with DS and OSA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children enrolled at the multidisciplinary Down team of the University Hospital Antwerp and seen at the ENT department were eligible for this study. The prevalence of sleep problems was evaluated by the use of the Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and a full overnight polysomnography was performed to screen for obstructive sleep apnea.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Parents of fifty-four children with DS, aged 7.5 years (5.4-11.6), completed the CSHQ and an overall prevalence of sleep problems was found in 74.1%. In 57.1% of the children OSA was diagnosed with a median obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (oAHI) 7.25/h (5.7-9.8). Overall sleep problems were not age-or gender related, however boys suffer more from daytime sleepiness. Symptoms of sleep disordered breathing correlate with parasomnias, a longer sleep duration and more daytime sleepiness. No correlation was found between sleep problems and underlying OSA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children with Down syndrome have a significantly higher prevalence of sleep problems, compared to normal developing healthy school-aged children. We didn't find any correlation between the parental report of sleep problems and underlying OSA, or OSA severity.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Antwerp, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, Edegem 2650, Belgium. Electronic address: mieke.maris@gmail.com.
authors: Mieke
authors: M
authors: Maris
authors: Department of Paediatrics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, Edegem 2650, Belgium. Electronic address: stijn.verhulst@uza.be.
authors: Stijn
authors: S
authors: Verhulst
authors: Department of Paediatrics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, Edegem 2650, Belgium. Electronic address: marek.wojciechowski@uza.be.
authors: Marek
authors: M
authors: Wojciechowski
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Antwerp, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, Edegem 2650, Belgium. Electronic address: paul.van.de.heying@uza.be.
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Van de Heyning
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Antwerp, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, Edegem 2650, Belgium. Electronic address: an.boudewyns@uza.be.
authors: An
authors: A
authors: Boudewyns
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017286:Polysomnography; D015995:Prevalence; D012890:Sleep; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000209:etiology*; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Children; Down syndrome; Obstructive sleep apnea; Sleep problems