Endoscopic Airway Findings in Infants with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Abstract

Objectives: This study describes the un-sedated endoscopic airway findings in infants with obstructive sleep apnea confirmed by polysomnography (PSG). Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on infants who had undergone both a documented airway endoscopy and PSG from 2006 to 2015 at our center. Demographics, comorbidities, findings of airway endoscopy and findings on PSG were extracted from the electronic medical record. Regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship between AHI, endoscopic airway findings and gestational age. Results: We identified 39 patients with PSG in room air and confirmed obstructive sleep apnea (Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) >1/hour) who had undergone unsedated airway endoscopy. The median gestational age at time of PSG was 40 weeks and for endoscopy was 40 weeks. Median AHI on PSG was 17.2/hour. Laryngomalacia [87.2%], pharyngomalacia [33.3%] and tracheomalacia [10.3%] were the three most prevalent findings on endoscopy. Surgically correctable fixed airway obstruction was uncommon. Prevalence of pharyngomalacia decreased with increased gestational maturity (p=0.05). As the postmenstrual age at PSG completion increased, there was a trend towards a decline of the AHI (p=0.087). Twenty-two (56.4%) patients had a follow up PSG performed. Using paired t test, there was a significant decrease in AHI (Δ13.41: -40.9, 15.8, 15.8) from 23.4/hour (1.3-62) to 10.0/hour (0-32), despite no interim surgical intervention. Conclusions: Dynamic airway collapse, including laryngomalacia and pharyngomalacia, were the most common findings in obstructive sleep apnea during infancy. The decreased prevalence of pharyngomalcia and trend towards improvement of AHI with time suggests airway immaturity contributes to obstructive sleep apnea observed during infancy and improves with age.