Research Article The Association between Insufficient Sleep and Respiratory Infections among Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study from NHANES 2005-2016
by Yingxin Wan1, Liyuan Wang1, Liping Ding1, Min Zhao1*
1Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
*Corresponding Author: Min Zhao, Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
Received Date: 16 June 2026
Accepted Date: 10 July 2026
Published Date: 14 July 2026
Citation: Wan Y, Wang L, Ding L, Zhao M (2026) The Association between Insufficient Sleep and Respiratory Infections among Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study from NHANES 2005-2016. Arch Pediatr 11: 345. DOI: https://doi.org/10.29011/2575-825X.100345
Abstract
Background: Insufficient sleep and respiratory infections are significant public health issues among adolescents. To date, there have been few large-scale cross-sectional studies examining the association between them in adolescents. The aim of this study is to investigate whether insufficient sleep is associated with respiratory infections in adolescents. Methods: Cross-sectional data were retrieved from the 2005–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Sleep duration was assessed and respiratory infections were diagnosed based on health questionnaires. This study employed sample-weighted logistic regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) models to explore the association between sleep duration and respiratory infections. Subgroup analyses were also conducted to assess the interaction between sleep duration and interacting factors. Results: Among 2,739 adolescents, the weighted prevalence of respiratory infections was 20.37%. A fully adjusted multivariate model showed that participants with insufficient sleep (<8 hours) reported a higher risk of respiratory infections compared to those with normal sleep duration (8–10 hours) (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.11–1.76, P = 0.006), and a significant negative linear relationship was detected using a multivariately adjusted RCS model (overall P = 0.003, nonlinearity P = 0.854). Subgroup analyses did not reveal any significant interactions. Conclusion: Among adolescents, insufficient sleep duration is associated with an increased risk of respiratory infections compared to those with normal sleep duration. Prospective longitudinal studies should be conducted in the future to further investigate and determine the degree of the association between sleep duration and respiratory infections.
Keywords: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; Adolescents; Insufficient sleep; Respiratory infections; Coss-sectional study
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