Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the impact of prebiotic food consumption on sleep disturbance symptoms in children with and without asthma.

Method: This is a case-control study. Data were collected from 55 children with asthma and 70 children without asthma, aged 6 to 12 years. Data collection included the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC), Prebiotic Food Consumption Frequency Form, and Childhood Asthma Control Test. The asthma control level of children was determined by a pediatrician following the Global Initiative for Asthma’s guidelines.

Results: The average age of children with asthma was 9.16±3.11, while for children without asthma, it was 9.39±3.24. No significant differences were found between children with and without asthma in daytime napping, nighttime awakening, SDSC score, and daily prebiotic food consumption (p>0.05). It was observed that children with asthma used more prebiotic-enriched products than children without asthma (p<0.012). There was no significant difference in asthma control level, SDSC score, and prebiotic food consumption between children with and without asthma (p>0.05). Furthermore, no significant relationship was found between the SDSC score and prebiotic food consumption in children with and without asthma (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Prebiotic food consumption’s role in determining sleep disturbances and asthma control levels in children with asthma remains uncertain. Further research is needed on the use of prebiotics in children with asthma.