Sleep-Disordered Breathing More Common in Obese Children

January 15, 2008

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) such as snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may be increasingly common in obese children, according to a study published in the journal Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.

The study involved 299 children between the ages of 2 and 18, 129 of whom were seen at a pediatric clinic for routine check-ups (control group) and 170 of whom had SDB and were scheduled to undergo adenotonsillectomy (surgery group).

The results showed that 46 percent of the children in the surgery group were obese, compared with 33 percent of children in the control group. According to the authors, the high prevalence of obesity in the control group may be an indication of a high rate of undiagnosed SDB among children in the general population. The researchers also found that African-American children were more likely to be obese, especially those with SDB.

The consequences of SDB in children include sleep deprivation and problems with mood, behavior and learning. The results of this study highlight the need for greater awareness among physicians of the link between weight and SDB, particularly in African-American children, as well as the need for more aggressive screening for SDB in children who are most at-risk.