Background: Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) represents a spectrum of breathing disorders, ranging from snoring to obstructive sleep apnea. A parental questionnaire-based report of SDB has been used to identify SDB among children. There has been a little report in Thai children.
Objective: The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of SDB among primary school pupils in Pathumthani province, Thailand.
Material and Method: A cross-section survey was conducted on all pupils in 6 primary schools in Patumthani Province, by using the modified questionnaire from Tucson Children’s Assessment of Sleep Apnea study (TuCASA). SDB symptoms of relevant questions were self-reported by their parents to determine habitual snoring and witnessed sleep apnea.
Results: Of 3,240 pupils, there were 2,892 completing questionnaires (response rate of 89.3%). The prevalence of parentalreported habitual snoring and witnessed sleep apnea were 4.3% and 1.3%, respectively. Habitual snoring was significantly associated with male gender (adjusted odds ratio, aOR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1 to 3.6), passive smoking (aOR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.1 to 4.5), obesity (aOR = 4.7, 95% CI: 2.6 to 8.5), allergic rhinitis (aOR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.5 to 3.9) and asthma (aOR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1 to 2.9). The significant risk of witnessed sleep apnea was allergic rhinitis (aOR = 5.8 (95% CI: 1.8 to 18.9) and asthma (aOR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.2 to 6.4).
Conclusion: Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is a little found in Thai primary school children. Allergic rhinitis and asthma were significant risk factors of habitual snoring and witnessed sleep apnea. Obesity and passive smoking were associated with habitual snoring. We recommend that children who had risks as respiratory allergic disease, obesity and passive smoking should be screened for SDB symptoms.

Keywords: Sleep disordered breathing, Primary school children, Habitual snoring, Witnessed sleep apnea, Risk factor