Sleep Disorders and Restless Legs Syndrome in Schoolage Pediatric Population

Abstract

Objective:Diagnosis of sleep disorders (SD) and restless legs syndrome (RLS) in school-age pediatric population and finding their relevant factors are important to prevent disease dependent complications such as growth-development retardation, loss of neurocognitive function and school failure. The aim of the present study was to determine whether there is a relationship between socio-demographic characteristics, SD and RLS in school children.Materials and Methods:Middle and high school students aged between 13 and 17 were questioned about socio-demographic data, RLS survey and pediatric sleep questionnaire (PSQ).Results:The study included 3.568 appropriately completed surveys. The total PSQ score was 4.3±3.3 for female students and 3.9±3.3 for male students. PSQ score was ≥8 in 326 of 1.992 female students (16.4%), in 215 of 1.576 male students (13.6%) and in 541 of all students (15.2%). The RLS frequency was 4.4% for all students, 4.6% for female students and 4.1% for male students. Total PSQ score, snoring, sleepiness and behavior subscale score had significant correlation with RLS in both genders. A weak but significant correlation was found between PSQ total score and BMI Z score (r=0.256, p<0.001). There was a strong correlation between PSQ score and RLS. The odds ratio of RLS was 2.04 (95% confidence interval: 1.87-2.22) for PSQ score.Conclusion:RLS has close relationships with sleep-related breathing disorders, daytime sleepiness and behavioral problems irrespective of socio-demographic data.

Keywords

• school
• child
• sleep disorder
• restless legs syndrome