Tanya Al-Talib1, Lorne D Koroluk2, William F Vann3, Ceib Phillips4. 1. Assistant professor, Department of Orthodontics, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nev., USA. 2. Associate professor and Chair, Department of Orthodontics, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, N.C., USA. 3. Research professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, N.C., USA. 4. Professor, Department of Orthodontics and Assistant Dean for Graduate/Advanced Education, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, N.C., USA;, Email: ceib_phillips@unc.edu.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is not uncommon in children. The purposes of this study were to investigate the relationship between non-nutritive sucking (NNS) and the risk of SDB in children as well as assess the effect of infant feeding practices on SDB. METHODS: Eighty-four healthy four- to 12-year-old children were categorized either as high or low risk for SDB based on the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ). NNS and feeding practices were determined using a customized caregiver questionnaire. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference (P=0.21) between low- and high-risk children for a history of NNS. A statistically significant difference (P<0.001) was found for breastfed versus bottlefed children, with breastfeeding having a protective effect for SDB. CONCLUSION: NNS had no effect on SDB, while breastfeeding reduced the risk substantially.
PURPOSE:Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is not uncommon in children. The purposes of this study were to investigate the relationship between non-nutritive sucking (NNS) and the risk of SDB in children as well as assess the effect of infant feeding practices on SDB. METHODS: Eighty-four healthy four- to 12-year-old children were categorized either as high or low risk for SDB based on the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ). NNS and feeding practices were determined using a customized caregiver questionnaire. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference (P=0.21) between low- and high-risk children for a history of NNS. A statistically significant difference (P<0.001) was found for breastfed versus bottlefed children, with breastfeeding having a protective effect for SDB. CONCLUSION: NNS had no effect on SDB, while breastfeeding reduced the risk substantially.