Prevalence of upper respiratory tract infections in habitually snoring and mouth breathing children

Publication date: April 2018
Source:International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Volume 107
Author(s): Wojciech Kukwa, Christian Guilleminault, Magdalena Tomaszewska, Andrzej Kukwa, Antoni Krzeski, Ewa Migacz
ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of upper respiratory tract infections (URI) – as indicated by rhinosinusitis (RS), ear infections (EI), and antibiotic consumption – in a general pediatric population and evaluate the relationship between these conditions and habitual snoring and mouth breathing during sleep.MethodsA population-based cross-sectional study was performed in three medium-sized Polish cities from 2011 to 2015.Results4837/6963 questionnaires (69.5%) were completed, returned and analyzed. Mean age of studied group was 7.07 ± 0.72 and 7.14 ± 0.73 in girls and boys, respectively. Habitual mouth breathing during sleep (MB) was reported in 907 (18.7%) children and habitual snoring (HS) in 290 (6.0%). 230/290 (79.3%) of children with HS were also MB. Both HS and MB were more prevalent in boys than in girls (p = 0.027 and p < 0.0001, respectively) and neither was associated with BMI (p = 0.11 and p = 0.07, respectively).Habitual snoring and habitual mouth breathing were highly associated with more frequent bouts of rhinosinusitis, ear infections, and antibiotic use (p < 0.0001 for each parameter).ConclusionsHigher rates of rhinosinusitis, ear infections, and antibiotic consumption were similarly associated with HS and MB. MB is over three times more prevalent in the pediatric population relative to HS, therefore it might be considered as a risk factor for URI and may be included in history of URI.



http://ift.tt/2HvcoTA