Habitual Snoring in school-aged children: environmental and biological predictors

Abstract

BackgroundHabitual snoring, a prominent symptom of sleep-disordered breathing, is an important indicator for a number of health problems in children. Compared to adults, large epidemiological studies on childhood habitual snoring and associated predisposing factors are extremely scarce. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of habitual snoring among Chinese school-aged children.MethodsA random sample of 20,152 children aged 5.08 to 11.99 years old participated in a cross-sectional survey, which was conducted in eight cities of China. Parent-administrated questionnaires were used to collect information on children's snoring frequency and the possible correlates.ResultsThe prevalence of habitual snoring was 12.0% (14.5% for boys vs. 9.5% for girls) in our sampled children. Following factors were associated with an increased risk for habitual snoring: lower family income (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.46), lower father's education (OR = 1.38 and 1.14 for middle school or under and high school of educational level, respectively), breastfeeding duration < 6 months (OR = 1.17), pregnancy maternal smoking (OR = 1.51), obesity (OR = 1.50), overweight (OR = 1.35), several respiratory problems associated with atopy and infection, such as chronic/allergic rhinitis (OR = 1.94), asthma (OR = 1.43), adenotonsillar hypertrophy (OR = 2.17), and chronic otitis media (OR = 1.31), and family history of habitual snoring (OR = 1.70).ConclusionThe prevalence of habitual snoring in Chinese children was similar to that observed in other countries. The potential predisposing factors covered socioeconomic characteristics, environmental exposures, chronic health problems, and family susceptibility. Compared to socioeconomic status and family susceptibility, environmental exposures and chronic health problems had greater impact, indicating childhood habitual snoring could be partly prevented by health promotion and environmental intervention.

Neighbourhood air quality and snoring in school-aged children

“…These dose-response relationships have since been confirmed by others and, considering that the strength of the association appears to be stronger in younger children who spend more time at home or when maternal smoking is involved as opposed to paternal smoking, there is plausibility for a causal relationship linking exposure to cigarette smoking and habitual snoring [5,18,19,31,32]. These observations would further support the concept that other environmental pollutants may also contribute to the epidemiological characteristics of habitual snoring in children.…”

“…The major risk factors enumerated for the presence habitual snoring include a positive family history of snoring, prematurity, obesity, ethnic characteristics, early life history of respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis, lower socioeconomic status, allergies, asthma and passive exposure to cigarette smoke [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][14][15][16][17][18]. More specifically, exposure to cigarette smoke increased the risk of habitual snoring in a dose-dependent fashion, such that the highest prevalence was found when both parents smoked [1,[18][19][20][21].…”

“…More specifically, exposure to cigarette smoke increased the risk of habitual snoring in a dose-dependent fashion, such that the highest prevalence was found when both parents smoked [1,[18][19][20][21]. However, the impact of environmental pollution on habitual snoring has not been extensively assessed.…”

Hubungan Habitual Snoring dengan Prestasi Akademis Anak Sekolah Dasar

“…Habitual snoring adalah mendengkur yang terjadi ≥3 kali dalam seminggu, sedangkan occasional snoring terjadi <3 kali dalam seminggu. 2,4 Habitual snoring dapat dibagi menjadi primary snoring, upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) dan obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Primary snoring adalah mendengkur tanpa adanya apnea atau hipopnea, sedangkan UARS dan OSAS adalah mendengkur yang disertai gangguan pernapasan.…”

An important social problem: allergic rhinitis

“…[11] Two previous studies on pediatric patients demonstrated AR as a risk factor for habitual snoring. [12,13] Previous reports also showed that intranasal corticosteroid therapy and oral H1 receptor antagonists (second generation) improved the sleep quality. [9] Effects on Mood and Anxiety AR affects the patient emotions and patients felt tired, irritable and embrassed.…”