Snoring and sleep-disordered breathing in childhood: Regional prevalence in Balıkesir, Türkiye

Abstract

OBJECTIVE There is limited research on the prevalence of sleep-related disordered breathing (SRDB) in children in Turkey. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of habitual snoring and SRBD among schoolchildren in the city center of Balıkesir, located in the Northern Aegean region, using a Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire. METHODS This single-center, cross-sectional, prospective study was conducted from January to May 2022. The study included children aged 5 to 13 years who attended preschools, primary schools, and lower secondary schools in central Balıkesir, Turkey. Using simple random sampling, 13 schools were selected. From these schools, systematic sampling was used to recruit students. The Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) was distributed to the parents of 1300 students. RESULTS A total of 856 children (66%) whose families returned completed questionnaires correctly were included in the study. The prevalence of habitual snoring was 5.6%, while SRBD was identified in 9.1% of children aged 5 to 13. Gender and age did not have a statistically significant effect on the prevalence of SRDB or habitual snoring (p > 0.05). Witnessed sleep apnea was reported in 2.3% of children and was positively correlated with both habitual snoring (p = 0.001) and SRDB (p < 0.001). Morbidities such as enuresis nocturna, morning headaches, growth retardation, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were observed more frequently in both the habitual snoring and SRDB groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Conducting school-based surveys and questionnaires can increase awareness of habitual snoring and SRBD. Due to limited access to sleep labs and the high cost of polysomnography worldwide, validated sleep questionnaires may act as practical screening tools