Sleep Disturbance in Preschool Children with Allergic diseases

Purpose Sleep problems are very common in children with asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), and atopic dermatitis (AD). This study investigates sleep disturbances in preschool children with atopy and evaluates the impact on their emotion and behavior. Methods Questionnaires were distributed to 19,086 preschool children 2 to 6 years old taking the public annual health examination. Symptoms of atopy, sleep problems, and behavior were assessed by the ISAAC questionnaire, the Child’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, respectively. Results Of the 10,830 participants, symptoms of asthma, AR, and AD were reported in up to 25.9%, 52.9%, and 37.6%, respectively. Those with asthma, AR, and AD symptoms all had significantly higher scores in sleep onset delay, sleep anxiety, night waking, parasomnia, sleep-disordered breathing, and daytime sleepiness. Sleep problems were related to disease control. Children with asthma, AR, and AD also had significantly higher scores in hyperactivity, emotional symptoms, conduct problems, and peer problems. However, in children with AD without sleep problems, emotional symptoms score and conduct problems score were lower than those with sleep problems (p < 0.01), and were not significantly different from those without AD. Similarly, the emotional symptoms score in children with asthma without sleep problems was lower (p < 0.01) and not significantly different from those without asthma. Conclusion Preschool children with asthma, AR, and AD have more sleep problems and higher emotional and conduct problems scores which are related to their sleep problems. Therefore, evaluation and management of sleep disturbance in children with atopy is very important.