Individual and socio-demographic factors related to presenting problem and diagnostic impressions at a pediatric sleep clinic.
Individual and socio-demographic factors have been found to be associated with sleep disturbances in children. Few studies have examined these factors among children presenting for care at pediatric sleep clinics. This study examined individual and socio-demographic factors in association with presenting problems and diagnostic impressions for new patients at an interdisciplinary pediatric sleep clinic.



Data were collected from electronic medical records of 207 consecutive patients (54% male, 59% White, Meanage= 7.73, SD = 5.62).



Older age, female gender, and White race were associated with higher likelihood of presenting with difficulty falling asleep; younger age, male gender, and Black race were associated with higher likelihood of presenting with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)-related concerns. Older age was associated with diagnostic impressions of inadequate sleep hygiene, insufficient sleep, circadian rhythm disorder/delayed sleep phase disorder, periodic limb movement disorder/restless legs syndrome, and insomnia, while younger age was associated with provisional OSA and behavioral insomnia of childhood (BIC) diagnoses. Male gender was associated with provisional OSA. White race was associated with BIC. Age-based analyses were also conducted to further understand the findings within a developmental context.



Age- and gender-related findings converged with prevalence literature on pediatric sleep disorders. Race was only associated with presenting concern and BIC, and one association for neighborhood disadvantage was found within the age-based analysis. Results suggest a potential service delivery gap, with racial/ethnic minority youth being less likely to present for sleep services, despite prevalence data on the increased likelihood of sleep disturbances among these youth.
Psychology Department, University of New Orleans, 2000 Lakeshore Drive, New Orleans, LA 70148, United States. Electronic address: slrubens@uno.edu.
Sonia L
SL
Rubens
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104; Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
Kristina E
KE
Patrick
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104; University of Delaware, 209 Laurel Ave, Newark, DE 19711.
Ariel A
AA
Williamson
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
Melisa
M
Moore
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104; Saint Joseph's University, 5600 City Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131.
Jodi A
JA
Mindell
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010372:Pediatrics; D015995:Prevalence; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
Neighborhood disadvantage; Race; Sleep; Sleep disorders; Youth