Sleepiness in Children: An Update

The effect of sleep disorders, school jet lag, and anxiety in students 8-10 years of age on traumatic dental injuries

BACKGROUND/AIM

Traumatic dental injuries (TDI) constitute a public health problem. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether sleep disorders, school jet lag, and anxiety are associated with TDI in schoolchildren 8-10 years of age.

METHODS

An analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted with 739 pairs of parents/guardians and children enrolled in public and private schools. The parents/guardians answered a socioeconomic questionnaire, the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children, Circadian Energy Scale, and Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale. Four examiners underwent calibration exercises for the diagnosis of TDI (K > 0.80) using the criteria proposed by Andreasen (2007). A directed acyclic graph was used for the formulation of the theoretical model and statistical adjustments. Unadjusted and adjusted robust binary logistic regression analyses were performed (α = 5%).

RESULTS

The prevalence of TDI was 16.2%. The following variables remained associated with the outcome in the final model: family income less than or equal to the minimum monthly wage (OR = 1.77; 95% CI: 1.09-2.88; p = .02), child's height >137.6 cm (OR = 1.68; 95% CI: 1.06-2.64; p = .02), the occurrence of school jet lag (OR = 2.12; 95% CI: 1.27-3.53; p = .004), anxiety (OR = 1.77; 95% CI: 1.04-3.00; p = .04) and sleep disorders (OR = 1.63; 95% CI: 1.38-1.93; p = .05).

CONCLUSION

Children from families with a lower income, taller children, those with school jet lag, those with anxiety and those with sleep disorders had a greater occurrence of TDI.

Daytime Sleepiness from Preschool Children's and Parents' Perspectives: Is There a Difference?

This cross-sectional study investigated the level of daytime sleepiness and sleep-related behaviors in preschool children and compared their self-evaluations with the evaluations of their parents. It was conducted in Split-Dalmatian County, Croatia, among 196 preschool children aged 6-7 years seen at regular medical examinations, accompanied by their parents, using the Epworth sleepiness scale for children and parents/caregivers. Compared to their child's reports, parents tended to underestimate their child's sleepiness while sitting in a classroom at school (p = 0.001) and overestimate their child's sleepiness when lying down to rest or nap in the afternoon (p < 0.001). Boys were sleepier while sitting in a classroom at school during the morning than girls (p = 0.032). As much as 48.2% of preschool children had their own cellphones/tablets. Boys used video games (p < 0.001) and cellphones/tablets more than girls did (p = 0.064). Parental estimation of children playing video games at bedtime was lower than the child's report (p < 0.001). Children who had a TV in their bedroom reported more daytime sleepiness (p = 0.049), and those who played video games at bedtime went to sleep later during the weekend (p = 0.024). Also, children owning cellphone/tablets had longer sleep latency during the weekend compared to children not owning a cellphone (p = 0.015). This study confirmed that parents tend to underestimate children's habits of playing video games at bedtime and children's sleepiness during morning classes. Preschool children who use electronic devices at bedtime more frequently have prolonged sleep latency. These findings provide further evidence of the effects of electronic media devices on preschoolers' sleep patterns and daytime sleepiness.

Development of the Parenting Behavior Checklist to Promote Preschoolers' Sleep (PCPP)

OBJECTIVES

To develop the Parenting Behavior Checklist to Promote Preschoolers' sleep (PCPP), quantify sleep-promoting parenting behaviors for children, and examine the scale's reliability and validity.

METHODS

The PCPP was developed based on the recommendations of the ABCs of SLEEPING for children's sleep, which is strongly supported by research evidence. Its validity and reliability were evaluated using data from 140 participants. Structural validity was estimated using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and internal consistency was evaluated by Cronbach's α. Hypothesis testing was evaluated by analyzing the correlations between each factor of the Japanese Sleep Questionnaire for Preschoolers (JSQ-P) and the PCPP.

RESULTS

Regarding structural validity, EFA was conducted because CFA showed a poor model fit. The PCPP comprised one factor and six items. The JSQ-P subfactors of insomnia or circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders, undesirable morning symptoms and behaviors, and insufficient sleep were moderately negatively correlated with the PCPP; the subfactor of undesirable daytime behaviors related to sleep problems was weakly negatively correlated with the PCPP. Thus, the sleep-promoting parenting behaviors listed in the PCPP were associated with better sleep in children.

CONCLUSIONS

The PCPP showed sufficient reliability and validity. Future studies should use the scale to examine more effective interventions regarding sleep-promoting parental behaviors for children.

Sleep disordered breathing and neurobehavioral deficits in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is broadly recognized to be associated with neurobehavioral deficits, which have significant impacts on developing-aged children and adolescents. Therefore, our study aimed to quantify the proportion of neurobehavioral impairments attributed to SDB in general children and adolescents by population attributable fraction (PAF).

METHODS

The study was registered at PROSPERO (ID: CRD42023388143). We collected two types of literature on the prevalence of SDB and the risk of SDB-related neurobehavioral deficits from ten electronic databases and registers, respectively. The pooled effect sizes (Pe, Pc, RR) by random-effects meta-analysis were separately substituted into Levin's formula and Miettinen's formula to calculate PAFs.

RESULTS

Three prevalence literature and 2 risk literature, all with moderate/high quality, were included in the quantitative analysis individually. The prevalence of SDB was 11% (95%CI 2%-20%) in children and adolescents (Pe), while the SDB prevalence was 25% (95%CI 7%-42%) in neurobehavioral patients (Pc). SDB diagnosis at baseline was probably associated with about threefold subsequent incidence of neurobehavioral deficits (pooled RR 3.24, 95%CI 1.25-8.41), after multi-adjustment for key confounders. Up to 19.8% or 17.3% of neurobehavioral consequences may be attributed to SDB from Levin's formula and Miettinen's formula, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

A certain number of neurobehavioral consequences may be attributable to SDB. It is essential for clinicians to identify and treat SDB timely, as well as screen for SDB in patients with neurobehavioral impairments. More longitudinal studies of SDB and neurobehavioral deficits are needed in the future to further certify the association between them.

Analyzing sleep status in children with acute leukemia

BACKGROUND

Quality sleep is essential for physical and mental health. We aimed to analyze sleep disorders in children with acute leukemia and explore associated factors.

METHODS

General data and sleep disorders in children with acute leukemia during chemotherapy were collected by general questionnaires, Children's Sleep Disorders Scale and the Parenting Stress Index-short form.

RESULTS

In total, 173 valid questionnaires were collected. The total Sleep Disorder Scale score > 39 is considered a sleep disorder, while sleep disorders accounted for 45.66% (79/173). In the cohort, 167 children had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, with 40.12% (67/167) having sleep disorders, while six children had acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia, with 50.00% (3/6) having sleep disorders. Single- and multi-factor regression analyses of age, gender, number of children in the family, and time spent using electronic devices showed that factors influencing sleep disorders in these children were mainly parental scolding and adenoid hypertrophy. Children with sleep disorders had more parental stress than those without sleep disorders (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The high incidence of sleep disorders in children with acute leukemia is related to airway conditions and parental behaviors. Sleep disorders in children can increase parenting stress. Factors potentially affecting sleep quality should be addressed as early as possible, while parental education should be strengthened to better facilitate the physical and psychological recovery of their children.

Understanding and approaching excessive daytime sleepiness

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is a public health issue. However, it remains largely undervalued, scarcely diagnosed, and poorly supported. Variations in the definition of EDS and limitations in clinical assessment lead to difficulties in its epidemiological study, but the relevance of this symptom from a socioeconomic perspective is inarguable. EDS might be a consequence of several behavioural issues leading to insufficient or disrupted sleep, as well as a consequence of sleep disorders including sleep apnoea syndrome, circadian disorders, central hypersomnolence disorders (narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia), other medical or psychiatric conditions, or medications. Furthermore, EDS can have implications for health as it is thought to act as a risk factor for other conditions, such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders. Because of the heterogeneous causes of EDS and the complexity of its pathophysiology, management will largely depend on the cause, with the final aim of making treatment specific to the individual using precision medicine and personalised medicine.

Tobacco smoke exposure and inadequate sleep among U.S. school-aged children

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND

Inadequate sleep and tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) have been separately linked to adverse childhood health consequences. Our objective was to assess the association between home TSE status and inadequate sleep among U.S. school-aged children.

METHODS

We analyzed 2018-2019 National Survey of Children's Health data, and included 17,851 children ages 6-11 years. Children were classified into three parent-report TSE groups: (1) did not live with a smoker (no TSE at home); (2) lived with a smoker who did not smoke inside the home (thirdhand smoke (THS) exposure only); and (3) lived with a smoker who smoked inside the home (secondhand smoke (SHS) and THS exposure). Parent-report of inadequate sleep on most weeknights was defined as <9 h, following age-specific national guidelines. We fitted a weighted multivariable logistic model to assess the association between TSE groups and inadequate sleep, adjusting for child covariates (sociodemographics, overweight status, health status, physical activity, and screen time).

RESULTS

About 13% and 1% of school-aged children were exposed to home THS only and home SHS and THS, respectively; approximately 36% overall had inadequate sleep. Compared to children with no TSE at home, children who were exposed to home THS only had higher odds of inadequate sleep (AOR = 1.44, 95%CI = 1.20-1.73); those exposed to home SHS and THS had higher odds of inadequate sleep (AOR = 1.83, 95%CI = 1.20-2.78).

CONCLUSIONS

TSE is associated with school-aged children having inadequate sleep, even when smokers did not smoke inside the home. Promoting parental smoking cessation is essential to fully protect children from related risks.

Association of sleep disorders with subfoveal choroidal thickness in preschool children

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association between sleep disorders and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) in preschool children.

METHODS

In this population-based cross-sectional study, children aged 60-72 months were measured for SFCT using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and for sleep disorders using the Chinese version of Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ). Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to assess the association between sleep disorders and SFCT.

RESULTS

A total of 1337 children (mean (SD) age: 66.88 (3.41) months) were included in the analyses. In multivariable linear analysis, a higher total CSHQ score (indicating higher likelihood of sleep disorders) was associated with a thinner subfoveal choroid (beta, -0.070; 95% CI, -0.141 to -0.001; P = 0.046). When each of eight CSHQ subscale scores was analysed by the multivariable model, only the Daytime Sleepiness subscale score was negatively associated with the SFCT (beta, -0.115; 95% CI, -0.183 to -0.046; P = 0.001). The children with clinically significant daytime sleepiness (n = 364, 27.2%) had significantly thinner subfoveal choroid than other children (295.47 vs. 308.52 μm, P = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

Only daytime sleepiness was significantly associated with SFCT in preschool children in this study. The potential relationship between sleep disorders during childhood and children's ocular development needs further research.

Tratamento multicomponente para insônia infantil e seus efeitos nos padrões, hábitos e rotinas de sono

Problemas de sono são frequentes na infância e estão associados a problemas de comportamento. O estabelecimento de rotinas pré-sono é recomendado para pais de crianças. Nenhum estudo brasileiro investigou os hábitos e rotinas de crianças que apresentam problemas de sono. Os objetivos deste estudo foram investigar os hábitos e rotinas de crianças com problemas de sono e verificar se a educação parental sobre o sono da criança levou a mudanças nos padrões de sono e de rotina. Participaram 57 crianças com problemas comportamentais relacionados ao sono e suas mães. As mães receberam orientações sobre o sono das crianças e estabelecimento de rotinas pré-sono. Os dados foram avaliados através de medidas parentais. Nossos resultados apontaram que crianças com problemas de sono apresentam em sua maioria, hábitos e rotinas inadequadas antes de dormir e que a modificação destes levam a melhora do sono. Espera-se que este trabalho possa estimular a produção de pesquisas nacionais sobre o tema, servindo como incentivo para o desenvolvimento de medidas preventivas e interventivas para os problemas de sono na infância.

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Measurements in Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder in childhood. It is a heterogeneous disorder in terms of clinical presentation that is probably due to the frequent occurrence of comorbidity. Children with ADHD more frequently report sleep disorders (notably delayed sleep phase syndrome) and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) than typically developing children. The aim of this article is to propose a narrative review of the assessment of EDS in the context of ADHD with first a summary of the subjective and objective tools used to measure it. Secondly, perspectives in terms of electroencephalogram (EEG) markers and neurofeedback are proposed. Then, possibilities for new kinds of evaluation are discussed (virtual reality, ecological momentary assessment, etc.). Lastly, we discuss specific clinical situations with EDS in the context of ADHD as links with narcolepsy, the comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders, and the context of sluggish cognitive tempo.

Preoperative Evaluation of the Pediatric Patient

The article reviews frequently encountered preoperative concerns with a goal of minimizing complications during administration of pediatric anesthesia. It is written with general anesthesiologists in mind and provides a helpful overview of concerns for pediatric patient preparation for routine and nonemergent procedures or interventions. It covers unique topics for the pediatric population, including gestational age, respiratory and cardiovascular concerns, fasting guidelines, and management of preoperative anxiety, as well as the current hot topic of the potential neurotoxic effects of anesthetics on the developing brain.

Association of allergic rhinitis with obstructive sleep apnea: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The co-existence of allergic rhinitis (AR) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common phenomenon in clinical practice. AR has long been considered a risk factor for OSA. However, the relationship is not completely clear. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the prevalence of AR in sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) /OSA and their relationship.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, Wiley Online Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science. Data were analyzed and pooled to estimate effect size (ES) /odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Heterogeneity was quantified and evaluated by chi-squared-based Q-test and I2 test, with P < .05 and I > 50% indicating evidence of heterogeneity.

RESULTS

44 studies contained 6086 participants were included in this meta-analysis. For adults, the prevalence of AR was 22.8 (95% CI, 15.0-30.6) % in SDB and 35.2 (95% CI, 25.6-44.7) % in OSA. In children with SDB and OSA, the prevalence of AR was 40.8 (95% CI, 24.3-57.2) %, and 45.2 (95% CI, 25.4-65.0) % respectively. The odds ratios of prevalence of the SDB pediatric patients with AR was 2.12 (95%CI, 1.75, 2.57; P < .0001) times higher than that of non-SDB pediatric patients. There were no significant differences between OSA adults with or without AR in BMI (Body Mass Index), neck circumference, apnea hypopnea index (AHI) and epworth sleep scale score (ESS).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of AR in OSA/SDB is considerably high and children with SDB suffering from a higher incidence of AR than non-SDB. OSA adults accompanied with AR do not have any influences on sleep parameters.

The Amygdala, Sleep Debt, Sleep Deprivation, and the Emotion of Anger: A Possible Connection?

The association of sleep with emotions has long been studied. However, not much has been studied about the association of sleep deprivation and sleep debt with the emotion of anger. In this article, we focused on the association of sleep with anger. The results suggest that lack of sleep - sleep deprivation and sleep debt - both lead to the emotion of anger. Some hints about the involvement of the limbic system have been found. Yet, due to a lack of a quantity of evidence, we suggest that more studies are conducted on the same topic to help us have a more in-depth exploration of the association of lack of sleep with anger.

Children's Environmental Health in the Digital Era: Understanding Early Screen Exposure as a Preventable Risk Factor for Obesity and Sleep Disorders

The quantity, accessibility and focus on child-targeted programming has exponentially increased since it entered American households in the early 1900s. It may have started with the television (TV), but technology has evolved and now fits in our pockets; as of 2017, 95% of American families own a smartphone. Availability and child-tailored content has subsequently led to a decrease in the age at initial screen exposure. The negative effects that accompany the current culture of early screen exposure are extensive and need to be considered as technology continues to enter the home and inundate social interactions. Increased levels of early screen exposure have been associated with decreased cognitive abilities, decreased growth, addictive behavior, poor school performance, poor sleep patterns, and increased levels of obesity. Research on the adverse effects of early screen exposure is mounting, but further epidemiological studies are still needed to inform prevention and regulation policies.