S Paduano1, F P Paduano2, D Aiello1, L Barbara1, S Zampogna3, R Pujia1, C Malara1, T Cantile4, G F Ferrazzano5. 1. Department of Health Science, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy. 2. Humanitas University, Milan, Italy. 3. "Pugliese-Ciaccio" Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy. 4. School of Paediatric Dentistry, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Oral Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II"; Naples, Italy. 5. School of Paediatric Dentistry, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Oral Sciences - Unesco Chair in "Health Education and Sustainable Development: Oral Health in Paediatric age", University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
Abstract
AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of OSAS' risk in children of the province of Catanzaro, Italy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 2445 scoolchildren aged 6 to 12 years of the province of Catanzaro (Italy) were administered the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaires (PSQs) in its validated Italian version. A total of 1772 questionnaires were collected; however, 130 of them were excluded, and 1642 questionnaires were accepted and scored. RESULTS: According to final scores of questionnaires, 172 children (10.47%) were considered at risk for OSAS. No statistically significant association between sex and risk of OSAS was found (p = 0.189). The risk of OSAS was equally distributed in all ages (p = 0.984). It was found that the most common habits in children with risk of OSAS were: snoring, heavy or noisy breathing, oral breathing, xerostomia, difficulty waking up in the morning, behavioural disturbances during the day and excess weight. CONCLUSION: The study showed a high risk of OSAS, suggesting the importance of first-level screening and the need to pay special attention to the diagnosis of this syndrome.
AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of OSAS' risk in children of the province of Catanzaro, Italy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 2445 scoolchildren aged 6 to 12 years of the province of Catanzaro (Italy) were administered the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaires (PSQs) in its validated Italian version. A total of 1772 questionnaires were collected; however, 130 of them were excluded, and 1642 questionnaires were accepted and scored. RESULTS: According to final scores of questionnaires, 172 children (10.47%) were considered at risk for OSAS. No statistically significant association between sex and risk of OSAS was found (p = 0.189). The risk of OSAS was equally distributed in all ages (p = 0.984). It was found that the most common habits in children with risk of OSAS were: snoring, heavy or noisy breathing, oral breathing, xerostomia, difficulty waking up in the morning, behavioural disturbances during the day and excess weight. CONCLUSION: The study showed a high risk of OSAS, suggesting the importance of first-level screening and the need to pay special attention to the diagnosis of this syndrome.