Sleep problems in low income, urban pediatric populations living at different altitudes in Colombia

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of sleep problems in low-income, urban pediatric populations in cities at different altitudes in Colombia.

Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional population-based observational study was conducted in children aged between 2 and 12 years in the low income, urban areas of three cities in Colombia (Santa Marta, Bucaramanga, and Bogotá) located at 15, 959, and 2640 m above sea level, respectively. Sociodemographic data were collected, and the Spanish version of the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire was used.

Results: 1989 children were surveyed, distributed as follows: Santa Marta (32.0%), Bucaramanga (33.4%), and Bogotá (34.6%). The overall prevalence of sleep problems was 39.0%. Children from Santa Marta had the highest frequency of parasomnias (58.0%); those from Bucaramanga had the highest frequency of attention deficit symptoms (4.0%) and apneic pauses witnessed by parents or caregivers (5.7%). Finally, Bogotá, the only high-altitude location, had the highest frequency of sleep disordered breathing (17.2%).

Conclusions: The study found a high frequency of sleep problems in the pediatric population, especially at higher altitudes when compared to lower altitude settings. Sleep disorders warrant early detection and timely therapeutic intervention.

Keywords: Altitude; Child; Sleep disordered breathing; Sleep disorders.