Sleep Patterns and Sleep Difficulties among Saudi Children in Tabuk City

Abstract

Introduction: Sleep difficulties are common among children and are pointers to serious physical and mental disorders studies on the same lacks in Saudi Arabia. This is the first study to include children 1-11 years of age. Thus, we aimed to assess the variable sleep patterns and sleep disorders in Saudi children. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that enrolled 188 children (1-11 years) from the waiting area in the pediatric outpatient clinic at Maternity and Children Hospital, Tabuk city, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study was conducted in October 2018. A structured questionnaire based on the children's sleep habits was distributed to the parents via one-to-one interview. In the questionnaire, each item described their child’s behavior for the recent week's sleep pattern. Results: There were 188 children, ages 1-11 years. The most common sleep problem was sleep-related anxiety (81.5%) followed by sleep resistance (59.8%) and night waking (56.0%). The least common was sleep-disordered breathing which was observed in 28.3% of children. Conclusion: Sleep problems were prevalent among children in Tabuk City, Saudi Arabia. The most common sleep problem was sleep-related anxiety followed by sleep resistance and night waking. The least common was sleep-disordered breathing which was observed in more than a quarter of children. Further larger multi-center studies are needed to assess and address the causes of sleep problems.