Allergic diseases and sleep problems in children

Allergic rhinitis was associated with a broad range of sleep problems and to a lesser extent in children with asthma and least in children with eczema.

Allergic rhinitis was associated with:

- sleep routine problems
- morning tiredness
- night arousals
- sleep disordered breathing
- restless sleep

Asthma was associated with:

- sleep routine problems
- sleep disordered breathing
- restless sleep

Eczema was associated with restless sleep.

The association between allergic disease and psychological distress was mediated through sleep problems.

References:

https://www.annallergy.org/article/S1081-1206(22)00409-4/fulltext

Sleep-disordered breathing is modifiable risk factor for severe asthma

A study of 108 children examined the relationships between:

- obesity
- sleep-disordered breathing (SDB, defined as intermittent nocturnal hypoxia and habitual snoring)
- asthma severity

Children aged 4-18 years (mean age 9 years) were recruited sequentially from a specialty asthma clinic. Asthma severity was determined after 1 year of follow-up and guideline-based treatment, 45% of patients were African-American; 68% male.

Obesity and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) were common, affecting 43% and 30% of subjects, respectively.

Children with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) had a 3.6-fold increased odds of having severe asthma at follow-up. Obesity was not associated with asthma severity.

Obesity, asthma, and sleep-disordered breathing are triangular protagonists.The coexistence of 2 or more of these disorders is common and carries a greater risk for worse outcomes. We need to determine if treating sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) improves asthma morbidity.

References:

Sleep-Disordered Breathing is Associated with Asthma Severity in Children. The Journal of Pediatrics, Volume 160, Issue 5, Pages 736-742, May 2012.

Obesity, Asthma, and Sleep-Disordered Breathing. The Journal of Pediatrics, Volume 160, Issue 5 , Pages 713-714, May 2012 (full text)

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