Effects of an external nasal dilator on sleep and breathing patterns in newborn infants with and without congestion

Abstract

BACKGROUND: We recently demonstrated that the use of an external nasal dilator reduced subjective snoring levels and improved sleep quality. Our study polysomnographically evaluated the effects of this device on the frequency of obstructive airway events during sleep in infants with and without congestion. METHODS: We used a crossover study to monitor 20 infants between the ages of 2 and 4 months (15 infants without congestion and 5 with congestion). Monitoring was conducted during two daytime sleep sessions in a crossover study in which infants slept with or without a cutdown version of an external nasal dilator (Breathe Right Nasal Strips, CNS, Inc., Bloomington, Minn.) in the first session with crossover to the other condition in the second session. A respiratory disturbance index consisting of apneas (pauses in respiration of at least 8 seconds) or hypopneas (decreased airflow resulting in oxygen desaturation of at least 3%) was determined. RESULTS: Babies without congestion showed a greater than 50% reduction in respiratory disturbance index from 3.2 ± 2.8 to 1.2 ± 1.2 events per hour ( p <0.005). Congested infants showed a decrease from 6.9 ± 2.9 to 1.5 ± 1.6 events per hour ( p <0.05). Babies with the greatest number of events showed the greatest improvement. CONCLUSION: The use of an external nasal dilator reduces the frequency of obstructive respiratory events in infants. (J Pediatr 1996;129:804-8)