Sleep disturbance in children with allergic disease

Abstract

Purpose: Although allergic disease has been recognized as a common chronic disease related to the sleep disturbance of children, studies on sleep disturbance in children with allergic disease are scanty in Korea. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sleep disturbance of children with allergic disease. Methods: Children aged 2 to 12 years were assessed using the sleep questionnaires. From July 2011 to June 2012, surveys were conducted on patients who were diagnosed with allergies in 3 general hospitals and in an elementary school in Seoul and the capital area. The analysis was done in 3 groups according to age. Results: The sleep questionnaires of 1,174 children were evaluated. Children with allergic disease were 341 (209 males and 132 females) and those in the control group were 833 (428 males and 405 females). Parasomnia symptoms were common in young children (ages 2 to 5 years) than in the control group (P< 0.05). Symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing were more common in early adolescent children (ages 11 to 12 years) than in the control group (P< 0.05). The presence of allergic rhinitis, gender, and body mass index did not correlate with a sleep disturbance in children with allergic disease. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this study was the first report of sleep disturbance in children with allergic disease in Korea. This study suggests that children with allergic disease from early children may have poor sleep quality than those without. Therefore, proper treatment of and great interest in sleep disturbance are required for children with allergic disease.