Prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing and associations with malocclusion in children

Abstract

ABSTRACTObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and its association with malocclusion among children in Recife, Brazil.Methods390 children aged seven to eight years took part in the study, comprised by the body mass measurement, orthodontic examination and parent’s information required by the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children. Statistics tools were Pearson’s chi-square and Lemeshow test.ResultsSDB was found in 33.3% of the children and associated with overjet (p= 0.007), anterior open bite (p=0.008) and posterior crossbite (p= 0.001). There was no association between BMI and SDB. The multivariate logistic regression model indicated that the anterior open bite (p= 0.002) and posterior crossbite (p = 0.014) have an association with SDB.ConclusionsResults of this study indicated that the prevalence of SDB was high and highly associated with malocclusion; anterior open bite and posterior crossbite are risk factors for SDB.