Sleep and psychiatric problems in pediatric oncology patients: A case–control study

This study primarily aimed to investigate sleep habits, sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), and psychiatric problems in children with cancer compared to a control group (sibling). A secondary objective was to assess the influence of hospitalization and psychological status on sleep-disordered breathing and overall sleep quality. In this prospective case–control study, children aged 8–18 years receiving cancer treatment and their healthy siblings completed validated sleep and psychological questionnaires (PSQI, CSHQ, STAI-C, CDI). Objective assessment of sleep-disordered breathing was performed using home-based peripheral arterial tonometry. Patients were monitored during hospitalization and at home, while controls were assessed at home. Apnea–hypopnea index, respiratory disturbance index, and oxygen desaturation index were analyzed as objective outcomes. Thirty-seven participants were included (23 patients, 14 controls). Disturbed sleep habits were highly prevalent across the cohort (89.2% on CSHQ). Trait anxiety was significantly higher in patients than in siblings. No significant differences were observed between home and hospital measurements among patients. However, compared with controls, patients demonstrated substantially higher AHI, RDI, and ODI values. Subjective sleep quality (PSQI) classified 27% of the cohort as poor sleepers. Pediatric oncology patients experience impaired sleep and increased respiratory disturbances compared with siblings, independent of the hospital environment. Routine screening and early management of sleep problems should be incorporated into pediatric cancer care. Home-based objective sleep monitoring may provide a feasible approach for detecting clinically relevant sleep disturbances in this vulnerable population.