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Prussner, J.C., Wolf, O.T., Hellhammer, D.H., Buske- Kirschbaum, A., Von Auer, K., Jobst, S., Kaspers, D. and Kirschbaum, C. (1997) Free cortisol levels after awakening: A reliable biological marker for the assessment of adreno-cortical activity. Life Sciences, 61, 2539-2549. doi:10.1016/S0024-3205(97)01008-4

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• TITLE: Immune function in Japanese schoolchildren with sleep-disordered breathing: a preliminary study with analyses of salivary markers

  AUTHORS: Hiroshi Ueda, Atsushi Horihata, Eka Matsumoto, Genki Watanabe, Myongsun Koh, Kotaro Tanimoto, Kazuo Tanne

  KEYWORDS: Schoolchildren; Sleep-Disordered Breathing Symptoms; Immune Function; Salivary Markers

  JOURNAL NAME: Open Journal of Stomatology, Vol.1 No.4, December 7, 2011

  ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) symptoms among primary schoolchildren, and to objectively determine the influence of SDB on the intra-oral environment through the analysis of saliva. A questionnaire survey was conducted among approximately 400 children from a primary school in Hiroshima. Parents were asked to complete the questionnaire and provide their contact information if they allowed the collection of saliva samples from their children. Thirty-eight chil- dren agreed to participate in the saliva study. Habit- ual snoring and cessation of breathing during sleep were found in approximately 8% and 1% of children, respectively. The present results showed significant correlations between snoring and mouth breathing. A significant association between excessive daytime sle- epiness (EDS) and learning problems was found. Fur- thermore, among children between the ages of 7 and 12 years, those with EDS and learning problems tended to be older. SDB symptom scores were statisti- cally significant only in relation to EDS. The present study also demonstrated significantly higher levels of salivary IgA and cortisol in children with sleep-re- lated disorders. The present study determined the pre- valence and characteristics of SDB among Japanese primary schoolchildren and their effects on the oral environment. Approximately 8% of primary school- children with habitual snoring might need to be care- fully monitored for SDB symptoms and immune sta- tus to ensure proper psychological and physical deve- lopment.