OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the prevalence of sleep disturbances and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) risk between children with seizures and healthy controls in Saudi Arabia, while identifying clinical correlates associated with these outcomes within the epilepsy cohort. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, involving 83 children with seizures and 167 healthy controls. Sleep patterns and OSA risk were assessed using the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ). Clinical factors were analyzed using logistic regression. RESULTS: Sleep disturbance was significantly more frequent in the seizure group (86.7%) compared with controls (21.6%), with an odds ratio (OR) of 23.82 (p < 0.001). The rate of positive OSA screening was higher among children with seizures (34.9% vs. 15.6%; OR: 2.91, p < 0.001). The seizure group showed significantly higher impairment across all CSHQ domains, including bedtime resistance, sleep anxiety, and daytime sleepiness (all p < 0.001). In the adjusted model, hospital admission in the past six months (aOR: 6.477) and sleep duration ≥ 10 h (aOR: 5.847) were independently associated with sleep disturbance; the latter likely reflects underlying sleep pathology rather than a primary risk factor. Recent seizure occurrence (within 6 months) was the primary predictor for OSA risk (aOR: 2.854, p = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: Sleep disturbances among Saudi children with seizures are significantly more prevalent than in healthy peers. Integration of standardized screening tools into routine pediatric neurology practice is warranted for the timely identification and management of these comorbidities.
Ahlam Mazi (Mon,) studied this question.