Sleep problems in children and adolescents with β-thalassemia major

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the sleep problems between children and adolescents with β-thalassemia major and healthy controls.Materials and Methods: This study was a case-control survey of children and adolescents with β-thalassemia major. The sample consisted of 76 children and adolescents in the patient group and 68 healthy children and adolescents in the control group, with an age range of 8-16 years. Subjects were recruited from the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in Hatay State Hospital between January and December 2018. Children and adolescents with β-thalassemia major were consulted from the Department of Pediatric Hematology. The Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) was used to evaluate sleep problems between the groups. Results: Mean age of the patient group was 11.66 (SD = 3.22) years, and 47.4% (N = 36) were males. Control group had a mean age of 12.84 (SD = 3.12) years, and 47.1% (N = 32) were males. Total score, night waking and sleep disordered breathing subscores of CSHQ were significantly higher in children with β-thalassemia major than healthy children.Conclusion: As there are more sleep problems in children and adolescents with β-thalassemia major than in healthy children, detailed studies are needed.