Sleep disorders in adolescent school children in Kochi: a cross sectional study

Background: Sleep disorders in children are often undiagnosed and can negatively impact their physical and psychological health. This study was done to estimate the prevalence of sleep disorders in adolescent school children and to examine the association between body mass index and sleep disorders.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 3 purposively selected schools in Kochi among children aged 13-17 years. Pediatric sleep questionnaire was distributed among 550 students of which 229 were received back. Weight and height of the children were recorded and the BMI was calculated. Data were analysed using SPSS, version 20, and Chi-square was done to determine association.Results: The mean age of the study population was 14.56±1.311 years with equal gender distribution. 59% had sleep disorders. Parasomnia was the most common (64%) sleep disorder. Sleep talking (36%) was the most common parasomnia. Out of the total 229 children, 60 had Excessive daytime sleepiness (26.3%). 18.4% had sleep related breathing disorder, 4.37% had insomnia, 5.3% had restless legs. Delayed sleep phase disorder was seen in 13 (5.7%) of the total 229 children. BMI below 5th percentile was significantly associated with insomnia. We did not find any significant association between BMI and other categories of sleep disorders.Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of sleep disorders among adolescent school children. Underweight in adolescents was associated with insomnia. There is a need for greater awareness of sleep disorders in children among parents and health care professionals.