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Healthcare provider contact for children with symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing: a population survey

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 December 2015

G Gudnadottir ,
A Ehnhage ,
M Bende ,
M Andersson ,
A Cervin ,
L O Cardell  and
J Hellgren
G Gudnadottir
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Institution for Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg University, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
A Ehnhage
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Sciences, Intervention and Technology, Division Otorhinolaryngology, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden Nacka Närsjukhus Proxima, Stockholm, Sweden
M Bende
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Central Hospital, Skövde, Sweden
M Andersson
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Skåne University Hospital, Lund and Malmö, Sweden
A Cervin
Affiliation:
Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Australia
L O Cardell
Affiliation:
Division of ENT Diseases, Department of Clinical Sciences, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
J Hellgren*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Institution for Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg University, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
*
Address for correspondence: Dr J Hellgren, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Gröna Stråket 9, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, SE-413 45 Göteborg, Sweden Fax: +46 31 82 56 79 E-mail: johan.hellgren@gu.se
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Abstract

Background:

Symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing in children, such as frequent snoring, apnoea and choking, may lead to health problems if untreated. The caregiver's level of awareness of these symptoms has been poorly studied. This study aimed to study healthcare provider contact related to sleep-disordered breathing symptoms in a population of children aged 0–11 years.

Methods:

A total of 1320 children were randomly selected from a national database that included all children living in Sweden. Caregivers answered a questionnaire about sleep-disordered breathing symptoms during the last month and healthcare provider contact related to these symptoms.

Results:

A total of 754 answers were received. The prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing symptoms was 4.8 per cent. Of this subgroup, 69 per cent had not been in contact with a healthcare provider regarding their symptoms.

Conclusion:

This study shows that sleep-disordered breathing in children is underestimated and that there is a need to increase caregiver and healthcare provider awareness of sleep-disordered breathing in children.

Keywords

Sleep Apnea SyndromesSnoringSelf ReportHealth Services AccessibilityPediatrics

Information

Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 130 , Issue 3 , March 2016 , pp. 296 - 301
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2015 

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