Abstract
Background: Studies have found an association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and children's academic performance.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of pediatric OSA and its association with school performance among Saudi children.
Methods: A cross sectional study was done on 340 primary school children. A questionnaire was filled in by parents that included items on sociodemographic variables, nocturnal enuresis, sleeping habits, child academic level. The sleep related breathing disorder scale (SRBD) was used to assess the risk of pediatric SRBD which is an indicator of OSA.
Results: The prevalence of OSA was 9%, with children > 12 years; obese children, those having RTI, and allergy had a significantly higher percentage of those having OSA. A non-significant difference was found between the presence of OSA and children's overall academic level or their levels in different school subjects. A highly significant negative correlation was found between general academic level and SRBD scores.
Conclusion: The prevalence of OSA was 9%, where children > 12 years, obese, those having RTI, and allergy had a significantly higher percentage of having OSA. On the other hand, a non-significant difference was found between the presence of OSA and children's overall academic level. There is a need for future school-based studies done on a larger sample to confirm the observed associations found in the present study.