Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Pediatrics

Background: Sleep disturbances are common among preschool children, which is underestimated problem and usually remains unrecognized and untreated. Objectives: The aim of the work was to screen for sleep disturbances among Egyptian preschool children attending pediatric outpatient clinics and to examine their sleep habits and possible predictors of their sleep problems. Methods: Parents of 2-5 years old children were approached after obtaining informed consent. Demographic data, BMI, Medical history, sleep patterns and sleep habits information were obtained to all children. Parents completed BEARS sleep screening questionnaire for this age group. Children with chronic medical, neurological, psychiatric disorders were excluded or those on medications that could affect sleep. Results: A total of 319 children were recruited. More Than one- third of the children in this sample were taking caffeine beverages, (42.6%) of them were doing exercise or heavy physical activity, (70.5%) were watching TV, (51.1%) were using computer or mobile before bedtime, (40.4%) were exposing to bright light before sleep and (10.3%) were sleeping with light on. The most common sleep disturbance found among this sample was bedtime problems (58.9%), followed by irregularity of sleep (39.5%), awakenings during night (31%), snoring (20.4%) and excessive daytime sleepiness (17.9%)

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