| Introduction. Sleep-Disordered Breathing is gaining recognition as an important disease entity. Currently, more information is available about sleep disorders affecting adult patients than about pediatric sleep related breathing disorders (SRBD). SRBD has been associated with increased cognitive and cardiovascular disorders in children.;Methods. Parents of 100 consecutive university-based orthodontic patients, ages 7-17 years, completed a previously validated survey, the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire, (Chervin et al., Sleep Medicine: 1(2000)21-32) at the case presentation appointment.;Results. Using the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire, we estimated that 18% (95% CI 0.10,0.26) of our sample of orthodontic patients 7-17 years old was at risk for SRDB. No significant associations were detected between risk of SRDB and either demographic or cephalometric angular or linear variables analyzed.;Conclusion. Orthodontists may have an opportunity to recognize and make appropriate referrals for pediatric patients at-risk for SRBD. |
