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Sleep problems in preschool and school aged rural Indian children

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Abstract

We assessed 513 children (2–6 y = 252; 7–12 y = 261) who visited the pediatric outpatient of a rural medical college hospital, for sleep problems using ‘BEARS’ tool. Sleep problems detected in the BEARS domains for preschool (2–6 years, n=252) and school children (7–12 years, n=261) were as follows: bedtime problems (33.3% vs 14.9%, P<0.001), excessive daytime sleepiness (32.5% vs 1.9%, P<0.001), awakening during night (25% vs 11.87%, P<0.001), regularity and duration of sleep (19.84% vs 4.98%, P<0.001), and sleep disordered breathing (4.8% vs 5%, P=0.1). We conclude that sleep problems are common among rural Indian children and should be routinely screened for during health visits.

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Correspondence to S. R. Ravikiran.

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Ravikiran, S.R., Jagadeesh Kumar, P.M. & Latha, K.S. Sleep problems in preschool and school aged rural Indian children. Indian Pediatr 48, 221–223 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-011-0049-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-011-0049-2

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