Cerebral Oxygenation During Respiratory Events in Children with Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Associated Disorders

Abstract

To evaluate changes in cerebral oxygenation by means of near-infrared spectroscopy during respiratory events in children with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and associated disorders. Sixty-five children suspected of having SDB underwent a respiratory polygraphy with simultaneous recording of cerebral oxygenation indices. Respiratory events were analyzed by type of event, duration, variations of pulse oximetry (oxygen saturation [SpO2]), cerebral tissue oxygenation index (TOI), and heart rate. Data were categorized according to the severity of SDB and age. There were 540 obstructive and mixed apneas, 172 central apneas, and 393 obstructive hypopneas analyzed. The mean decreases in SpO2 and TOI were 4.1±3.1% and 3.4±2.8%, respectively. The mean TOI decrease was significantly smaller for obstructive hypopnea compared with apneas. The TOI decrease was significantly less in children with mild SDB as compared with those with moderate-to-severe SDB and in children >7years as compared with those <7years old. TOI decreases correlated significantly with SpO2 decreases, duration of event, and age, regardless of the type of event. In a multivariable regression model, predictive factors of TOI decreases were the type of respiratory event, SpO2 decrease, apnea-hypopnea index, and age. In children with SDB and associated disorders, cerebral oxygenation variations depend on the type of respiratory event, severity of SDB, and age.