89 - Malocclusion as a Marker for Sleep-Disordered Breathing Risk in Children: A Prospective Analysis Using the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire

Abstract:

Purpose: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in children is associated with significant neurocognitive, behavioral, and systemic health consequences. Pediatric dentists see children regularly during key developmental periods and may be well positioned to identify children at increased risk for SDB. This study aims to evaluate whether malocclusion patterns identified during routine dental examinations are associated with elevated pediatric sleep questionnaire (PSQ) scores, indicating increased SDB risk.

Methods: This prospective, observational study aims to enroll 150 children aged 24 months to 11 years and their caregivers during routine dental visits at the Columbia University pediatric dental clinic. Data collected include caregiver-derived PSQ scores and child demographic (age, gender, ethnicity) and clinical variables documented in the electronic health record as per standard of care, including occlusal characteristics (e.g., crossbite, overjet, overbite) and caries experience (total decayed, missing, and filled teeth). Associations between occlusal findings and PSQ scores will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariable regression models.

Results: Of the 84 children enrolled to date, 46 are female (54.8%) and 38 are male (45.2%), with a mean age of 6.6 years (range: 2–11 years). Twelve children (14%) screened as high risk for SDB based on pediatric sleep questionnaire criteria. Final data analysis is pending. Findings from this study may support the potential role of pediatric dentists in identifying children at risk of SDB early through routine clinical evaluation who may benefit from further evaluation or intervention.



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