Obstructive Sleep Apnea In Pediatric Patients Research Articles

Discrepancies in pediatric OSA surgery hospital stay length across regions

ObjectiveTo investigate regional disparities in the length of hospital stay (LOS) for pediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in the United States. MethodsWe utilized the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) Kid Inpatient Database (KID) for 2016, analyzing data on pediatric OSA patients aged 0–20. We compared LOS in different U.S. regions and employed statistical tests to assess significance. ResultsRegional variation in LOS was observed among pediatric OSA patients. The Midwest and South regions showed longer LOS compared to the West and Northeast. Notably, standard deviations for LOS in the Midwest and South were substantial, signifying significant variability. ConclusionOur findings emphasize the importance of addressing regional differences in pediatric OSA care. Prolonged hospital stays can impose significant burdens on children and families. Identifying and mitigating factors driving these disparities is crucial for enhancing the quality and efficiency of care, ultimately striving for more equitable healthcare for pediatric OSA patients nationwide.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Short-Term Outcomes After Pediatric Cardiac Surgery.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been associated with negative cardiovascular effects and negative outcomes following cardiovascular surgery in the adult population. Our objective was to evaluate if there is a similar association in children. Single center retrospective matched cohort study, we collected data on patients aged 1-18 who were admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) between Jan 2012 and Dec 2021. We used a 3:1 propensity score matching for cases not diagnosed with OSA. Primary outcome was a composite variable: "adverse outcome," consisting of prolonged hospital and CICU stay, prolonged duration of mechanical ventilation, need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and death. The study comprised 80 patients diagnosed with OSA and 240 patients without a diagnosis of OSA before cardiac surgery. The median age was 5.3years (IQR 2.7-11.2). There were 184 (57.5%) males, and 102 (31.9%) had chromosomal and genetic abnormalities. There was a difference in "adverse outcome" between the OSA and non-OSA groups [34 (42.50%) vs 68 (28.33%), p = 0.027]. Moreover, bivariate analysis revealed that CICU length of stay, and chromosomal anomalies were statistically different between the groups. By logistic regression the composite variable "adverse outcome" remained associated to the OSA group (p = 0.009) with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 4.09 (1.83-9.18), p < 0.001. Children diagnosed with OSA had a higher risk of "adverse outcome" following cardiac surgery. The risk disappeared if the patient had Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy before cardiac surgery. Further studies should explore a proactive treatment for OSA in pediatric patients who need cardiac surgery.

Evaluation of Treatment Outcomes of Customized Fixed Intra-Oral Appliance With Maxillary Expansion and Twin Block in Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients: A Prospective Study

Evaluation of Treatment Outcomes of Customized Fixed Intra-Oral Appliance With Maxillary Expansion and Twin Block in Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients: A Prospective Study

Factors influencing hospital charges for tonsillectomy to treat obstructive sleep apnea in children.

This study investigates the impact of patient characteristics and demographics on hospital charges for tonsillectomy as a treatment for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The aim is to identify potential disparities in hospital charges and contribute to efforts for equitable access to care. Data from the 2016 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) Kid Inpatient Database (KID) was analyzed. The sample included 3,304 pediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy ± adenoidectomy for OSA. Variables such as age, race, length of stay, hospital region, residential location, payer information, and median household income were collected. The primary outcome variable was hospital charge. Statistical analyses, including t-tests, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression, were conducted. Among 3,304 pediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy for OSA. The average total charges for tonsillectomy were $26,400, with a mean length of stay of 1.70 days. Significant differences in charges were observed based on patient race, hospital region, and payer information. No significant differences were found based on gender, discharge quarter, residential location, or median household income. Multiple linear regression showed race, hospital region, and residential location were significant predictors of total hospital charges. This study highlights the influence of patient demographics and regional factors on hospital charges for pediatric tonsillectomy in OSA cases. These findings underscore the importance of addressing potential disparities in healthcare access and resource allocation to ensure equitable care for children with OSA. Efforts should be made to promote fair and affordable treatment for all pediatric OSA patients, regardless of their demographic backgrounds.

Clinical Application of Pediatric Sleep Endoscopy: An International Survey.

To investigate through an international survey the actual clinical application of drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) in pediatric patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and to clarify the use, application, clinical indications, and protocol of pediatric DISE. A specific survey about pediatric DISE was initially developed by five international otolaryngologists with expertise in pediatric sleep apnea and drug-induced sleep endoscopy and was later spread to experts in the field of sleep apnea, members of different OSA-related associations. A total of 101 participants who answered all the survey questions were considered in the study. Sixty-four sleep apnea experts, equivalent to 63.4% of interviewed experts, declared they would perform DISE in pediatric OSA patients. A total of 81.9% of responders agreed to consider the DISE as the first diagnostic step in children with persistent OSA after adenotonsillectomy surgery, whereas 55.4% disagreed with performing DISE at the same time of scheduled adenotonsillectomy surgery to identify other possible sites of collapse. In the case of young patients with residual OSA and only pharyngeal collapse during DISE, 51.8% of experts agreed with performing a velopharyngeal surgery. In this case, 27.7% disagreed and 21.4% were neutral. Pediatric DISE is internationally considered to be a safe and effective procedure for identifying sites of obstruction and collapse after adenotonsillectomy in children with residual OSA. This is also useful in cases of patients with craniofacial malformations, small tonsils, laryngomalacia or Down syndrome to identify the actual site(s) of collapse. Despite this evidence, our survey highlighted that pediatric DISE is not used in different sleep centers.

Pediatric Ocular Health and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: A Review.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects neurobehavioral, cognitive, and cardiovascular aspects, particularly in children, by obstructing the upper airways during sleep. While its impact in adult ocular health is recognized, there is ongoing debate about OSA's relevance in pediatrics. This review explores the relationship between OSA and ocular health in children, focusing on the effects and potential improvements through treatment. A systematic search found 287 articles through PubMeD/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect; 94.4% were excluded. After careful selection, six English articles were included, addressing the effects of OSA on children's eyes. Three studies examined choroidal alterations, three explored retinal and optic nerve changes, and two analyzed ocular changes following otorhinolaryngological intervention. The immediate correlation in children is inconclusive, but age may be a contributing factor. Pediatric OSA patients exhibit corneal anomalies and increased optic nerve thickness, possibly due to intermittent hypoxia. OSA influences retinal vascular density in children, with increased density after treatment and reduced choroidal thickness in cases of adenotonsillar hypertrophy. This review emphasized OSA's significant impact on children's ocular health, revealing alterations in the optic nerve, choroid, retina, and cornea. While the direct correlation with the optic nerve is not always evident, OSA raises intraocular pressure and induces structural changes. Treatment holds promise, highlighting the need for regular monitoring to promptly address childhood OSA.

Something to consider: rapid palatal expansion for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in pediatric patients.

This review examines the potential of rapid palatal expansion (RPE) as a treatment for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The focus is on recent findings related to its efficacy, safety, patient selection, timing, appliance options, cost considerations, and long-term outcomes. Recent studies indicate that RPE can lead to significant improvements in pediatric OSA, with a 70% reduction in the Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) and increased oxygen saturation levels. It has been particularly effective in children with small or absent tonsils and has been found to reduce adenoid and tonsil size. Long-term follow-up studies suggest the need for ongoing monitoring, as some patients may experience relapse over time. RPE shows promise as an additional treatment for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea. It offers improvements in respiratory function and reduced symptoms in certain patients. However, long-term efficacy and safety require further investigation. Comparative studies and patient-reported outcomes are necessary to optimize treatment approaches. Collaboration between orthodontists, sleep specialists, and ear-nose-throat (ENT) specialists may be essential for optimal outcomes in pediatric OSA patients treated with RPE.

Translation and validation of the Arabic version of the sleep-related breathing disorder scale of the pediatric sleep questionnaire (PSQ-SRBD)

Background/objectivesThe incidence of sleep-related breathing disorders is underestimated because polysomnography is required to confirm its diagnosis. The pediatric sleep questionnaire-sleep-related breathing disorder (PSQ-SRBD) scale is a self-reported questionnaire completed by a patient's guardian. There is no validated Arabic version of the PSQ-SRBD that can be used in the Arabic-speaking population. Therefore, we aimed to translate, validate, and culturally adapt the PSQ-SRBD scale. We also aimed to evaluate its psychometric properties for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). MethodsThe cross-cultural adaptation method consisted of the following steps: forward-backward translation, appraisal of a sample of 72 children (aged between 2 and 16 years) by an expert group, and performing Cronbach's alpha coefficient testing, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient testing, Wilcoxon signed-rank testing, and sign testing. The reliability of the Arabic version of the PSQ-SRBD scale was assessed using a test-retest comparison, and a factor analysis of the items was used to verify construct validity. For statistical purposes, p-values <0.05 were considered to indicate significance. ResultsAll subscales had adequate internal consistency: 0.799 for snoring and breathing, 0.69 for sleepiness, 0.711 for behavioral problems, and 0.805 for the entire questionnaire. Comparing questionnaire responses administered 2 weeks apart revealed no statistically significant difference in total scores between the two groups (p-values >0.05 by Spearman's rank correlation coefficient test for all domains) and also no statistical difference among 20 out of 22 questions independently (p-value >0.05 by sign test). A factor analysis conducted to assess the structure of the Arabic-SRBD scale revealed good correlational patterns. The mean score before surgery was 0.464 ± 0.166, and this changed to 0.185 ± 0.142 after surgery with a reduction of 0.278 ± 0.184 which was statistically significant (p < 0.001). ConclusionThe Arabic version of the PSQ-SRBD scale is a valid tool for the assessment of pediatric OSA patients and can be used to follow-up patients after surgery. Future research will determine this translated questionnaire's applicability.

Changes in the oral and nasal microbiota in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea

ABSTRACT Background Several clinical studies have demonstrated that pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with dysbiosis of airway mucosal microbiota. However, how oral and nasal microbial diversity, composition, and structure are altered in pediatric OSA has not been systemically explored. Methods 30 polysomnography-confirmed OSA patients with adenoid hypertrophy, and 30 controls who did not have adenoid hypertrophy, were enrolled. Swabs from four surface oral tissue sites (tongue base, soft palate, both palatine tonsils, and adenoid) and one nasal swab from both anterior nares were collected. The 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) V3–V4 region was sequenced to identify the microbial communities. Results The beta diversity and microbial profiles were significantly different between pediatric OSA patients and controls at the five upper airway sites. The abundances of Haemophilus, Fusobacterium, and Porphyromonas were higher at adenoid and tonsils sites of pediatric patients with OSA. Functional analysis revealed that the differential pathway between the pediatric OSA patients and controls involved glycerophospholipids and amino acid metabolism. Conclusions In this study, the oral and nasal microbiome of pediatric OSA patients exhibited certain differences in composition compared with the controls. However, the microbiota data could be useful as a reference for studies on the upper airway microbiome.

Effects of Rapid Palatal Expansion on the Upper Airway Space in Children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): A Case-Control Study

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in children needs a multidisciplinary approach. Even if the first-line treatment of pediatric OSA is adenotonsillectomy, nowadays rapid palatal expansion (RPE) is considered a valid additional treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate cephalometric changes in upper airways dimensions after rapid palatal expansion (RPE) in children suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). A total of 37 children (range age 4-10 years) with diagnosis of OSA referred to Dentistry Unit of Bambino Gesù Children's Research Hospital IRCCS (Rome, Italy) were included in this pre-post study and underwent lateral radiographs at the start (T0) and at the end (T1) of a RPE treatment. Inclusion criteria were: diagnosis of OSA confirmed by cardiorespiratory polygraphy (AHI > 1) or pulse oximetry (McGill = >2), skeletal maxillary contraction evaluated by presence of posterior crossbite. A control group of 39 untreated patients (range age 4-11 years), in good general health, was set up. A paired T-test was used to investigate the statistical differences between T0 and T1 values in both groups. The results showed a statistically significant increase of nasopharyngeal width in the treated group after RPE treatment. Moreover, the angle that identifies mandibular divergence compared to palatal plane (PP-MP°) was significantly reduced. In the control group, no statistically significant differences were observed. The present study showed that RPE treatment determines a significant sagittal space increase in the upper airways space and a counterclockwise mandibular growth in children with OSA compared to a control group. These results suggest that a widening of the nasal cavities induced by RPE may support a return to physiological nasal breathing and promote a counterclockwise mandibular growth in children. This evidence confirms the crucial role of the orthodontist in the management of OSA in pediatric patients.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Orthodontic Treatment with Adenotonsillectomy Procedures in Children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Background: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSA) is a syndrome of total or partial obstruction of the airways, leading to significant disturbances with varying clinical impact. In children, the main cause is thought to be overgrowth (hypertrophy) of the tonsils and adenoids, as well as structural abnormalities in Pierre Robin and Down Syndrome. The airway structures are significantly narrowed in children with head-face bone abnormalities or craniofacial anomalies, causing them to experience airway obstruction even in the absence of adenoid hypertrophy. The incidence of OSA in children needs to be observed as well as rising risk factors such as obesity. Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is typically treated with an adenotonsillectomy and the use of orthodontic procedures including rapid maxillary expansion and mandibular advancement devices. Each approach has different treatment advantages. Systematic reviews and meta-analysis of OSA treatments have been reported, however there have been relatively few comparisons of various treatments. In a systematic review of the evidence for the efficacy of AT and orthodontic treatment, Templier et al. concluded that combined AT orthodontic treatment (RME and/or MAD) was more effective than either therapy alone for treating OSA in pediatric patients. Objective: To systemically analyze the literature on the effectiveness of orthodontic treatment with adenotonsillectomy surgery in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and to identify differences in the two treatments’ effectiveness. Conclusion and implications: The effectiveness of adenotonsillectomy, orthodontic treatment, and orthodontic treatment combined with adenotonsillectomy was assessed in children with mild OSA and mandibular retrognathia. That study, which needed a large sample size (352 children) and had a high dropout rate, revealed that combine orthodontic adenotonsillectomy (RME and/or MAD treatment) was more effective when given simultaneously than when given individually for treating OSA in pediatric patients. To date, the effectiveness of these two treatments cannot currently be compared due to a lack of strong evidence. If the treatment outcomes were unsatisfactory at 7 months after the initial treatment, subjects could receive further treatment following assessment by a stomatologist and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. Limitations: Of the 10 publications included in this review, 8 were randomized controlled trials, the remaining 2 non-randomized research journals were vulnerable to many biases that impair the certainty of the evidence gained, especially by confounding factors and the lack of control groups.

The Impact of Obstructive Sleep Apnea on the Development of Refractory Nasal Symptoms After Adenoidectomy

Objectives: Chronic rhinitis may contribute to a persistently decreased quality of life in patients undergoing surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This study aimed to characterize the role of OSA in pediatric patients with refractory chronic rhinitis after adenoidectomy.Methods: We reviewed the charts of patients &lt;18 years of age with a history of OSA who underwent adenoidectomy at an academic medical center from October 2012 to December 2018 and that were seen in the clinic for follow-up. They were identified through the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes 42830 and 42831 with the exclusion of CPT 42820 for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. Patients with a prior diagnosis of OSA who had refractory symptoms were compared with those who had symptoms resolution using chi-square analysis and t-tests.Results: Thirty-six (35.0%) patients with refractory symptoms following adenoidectomy and 52 (37.4%) patients without refractory symptoms had a history of OSA before surgery (p=0.80). In patients with refractory symptoms, the average age (3.8 years) and male sex (n=24, 66.7%) did not differ significantly from the age (4.42 years) and male sex (n=36, 69.2%) percentages of patients without refractory symptoms. The mean apnea/hypopnea-index (AHI) (p=0.91), completion of the sleep study (p=0.41), history of snoring (p=0.92), and tonsil size (p=0.42) did not differ significantly between the groups. However, patients with refractory symptoms had a significantly higher mean body mass index (BMI) (19.58) than those who did not (17.77, p=0.04) and completed a higher number of allergy evaluations (p=0.02).Conclusions: While the history and severity of OSA did not differ significantly in patients with refractory nasal symptoms after adenoidectomy, these patients had a significantly higher BMI and completion of allergy evaluation.

Correlation between nasomaxillary complex dimensional changes and respiratory improvement after maxillary skeletal expansion treatment in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea patients

Correlation between nasomaxillary complex dimensional changes and respiratory improvement after maxillary skeletal expansion treatment in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea patients

0525 The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Adherence in Pediatric Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Abstract Introduction CPAP Adherence in children with OSA is often sub-optimal and there is concern for worsening during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although telehealth has been used in sleep clinics during the pandemic, there is little known about telemedicine’s effectiveness in specialized care. The purpose of this study is to compare CPAP adherence and related outcome metrics in pediatric OSA patients seen before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and between those seen in person and by telemedicine. Methods This retrospective cohort consisted of patients who were diagnosed with OSA, prescribed CPAP, and were seen in a CPAP clinic between 1/1/2018 and 9/31/2021. CPAP adherence data and outcome metrics including the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Michigan Sleep-disordered Breathing (PSQ) and Pediatric Quality of Life questionnaires (Ped-QOL) were collected. Only patients with one pre-pandemic and at least one post-pandemic visit were included. All variables were reported as mean± SD. Statistical comparison was performed using the mixed-effects model. Results 147 patients met criteria with 353 total visits. 147 were before the pandemic (pre) and 206 were during the pandemic (post). Demographic data indicated 57% male, 82% white, and 63% 12 years and older. Post-pandemic visits consisted of 78% telemedicine. Comparison between pre and post pandemic data demonstrated no statistically significant differences in % CPAP usage&amp;gt;4hrs (71±31% [pre] vs 73±33% [post], p=0.95), ESS (6.4±5.5 [pre] vs 5.9±5.8 [post], p=0.27), or PSQ (0.38±0.22 [pre] vs 0.36±0.22 [post] p=0.90). However, there was a significant difference in Psychosocial Health domain of Ped-QOL (68.6±19.4 [pre] vs 74.5±17.9 [post], p=0.012). Comparison between telemedicine and in-person visits during the pandemic showed no differences in %CPAP usage&amp;gt;4hrs (73±31% [Tele] vs 73±37%, p=0.73), ESS, PSQ, or Ped-QOL. Conclusion In our cohort, children with OSA had no significant changes in CPAP adherence, sleepiness, or OSA symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. CPAP telehealth visits provided the same effectiveness as in-person visits, as evidenced by similar adherences and outcome metrics. Interestingly, patients reported higher psychosocial health during the pandemic despite no difference in CPAP adherence. Factors not related to OSA management may contribute to the improvement of quality of life in this population. Support (If Any) Cincinnati Children’s Research Fund

Automatic Sleep Staging in Children with Sleep Apnea using Photoplethysmography and Convolutional Neural Networks.

Sleep staging is of paramount importance in children with suspicion of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Complexity, cost, and intrusiveness of overnight polysomnography (PSG), the gold standard, have led to the search for alternative tests. In this sense, the photoplethysmography signal (PPG) carries useful information about the autonomous nervous activity associated to sleep stages and can be easily acquired in pediatric sleep apnea home tests with a pulse oximeter. In this study, we use the PPG signal along with convolutional neural networks (CNN), a deep-learning technique, for the automatic identification of the three main levels of sleep: wake (W), rapid eye movement (REM), and non-REM sleep. A database of 366 PPG recordings from pediatric OSA patients is involved in the study. A CNN architecture was trained using 30-s epochs from the PPG signal for three-stage sleep classification. This model showed a promising diagnostic performance in an independent test set, with 78.2% accuracy and 0.57 Cohen's kappa for W/NREM/REM classification. Furthermore, the percentage of time in wake stage obtained for each subject showed no statistically significant differences with the manually scored from PSG. These results were superior to the only state-of-the-art study focused on the analysis of the PPG signal in the automated detection of sleep stages in children suffering from OSA. This suggests that CNN can be used along with PPG recordings for sleep stages scoring in pediatric home sleep apnea tests.

The Link between Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a form of sleep-disordered breathing that affects up to 9.5% of the pediatric population. Untreated OSA is associated with several complications, including neurobehavioral sequelae, growth and developmental delay, cardiovascular dysfunction, and insulin resistance. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is among the neurobehavioral sequelae associated with OSA. This review aims to summarize the research on the relationship between OSA and ADHD and investigate the impacts of OSA treatment on ADHD symptoms. A literature search was conducted on electronic databases with the key terms: “attention deficit hyperactivity disorder” or “ADHD”, “obstructive sleep apnea” or “OSA”, “sleep disordered breathing”, and “pediatric” or “children”. Review of relevant studies showed adenotonsillectomy to be effective in the short-term treatment of ADHD symptoms. The success of other treatment options, including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), in treating ADHD symptoms in pediatric OSA patients has not been adequately evaluated. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term benefits of surgical intervention, patient factors that may influence treatment success, and the potential benefits of other OSA treatment methods for pediatric ADHD patients.

Outcomes of dexmedetomidine sedation for drug-induced sleep ciné magnetic resonance imaging studies in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea patients.

Dexmedetomidine is utilized as a sedative agent for drug-induced sleep cine magnetic resonance imaging studies due to its ability to mimic natural sleep and lack of respiratory depressant effects. The outcomes of dexmedetomidine sedation such as respiratory complications and unplanned admissions in obstructive sleep apnea patients undergoing these studies are currently unknown. To describe the outcomes of dexmedetomidine sedation for outpatient drug-induced sleep magnetic resonance imaging in pediatric patients with obstructive sleep apnea. This is a retrospective chart review conducted in pediatric patients with obstructive sleep apnea undergoing outpatient drug-induced sleep ciné magnetic resonance imaging studies with dexmedetomidine sedation. Demographics, comorbidities, polysomnography study results, vital signs, respiratory complications, airway interventions, successful completion of the scan, and unplanned hospital admissions were measured. We analyzed 337 patients aged 2-18years (median age of 11years). The imaging was completed with dexmedetomidine as the sole sedative agent in 61% (N=207) patients. Ketamine was administered as additional sedative agent in 36% (N=122) of the patients. There was no difference in sedation-related adverse events and respiratory complications with regard to the severity of sleep apnea with the exception of mild desaturation episodes (SpO2 85%-90%). Patients who received additional sedative agents had significantly longer recovery room stay (71.5 [44] vs 55 [39] minutes; 95% CI of difference [9 to 23min], p<0.001) and total periprocedural stay (164.5 [52] vs 138 [64] minutes; 95% CI of difference [17 to 35min], p<.001). Dexmedetomidine alone or along with ketamine provided acceptable sedation in majority of the patients with obstructive sleep apnea undergoing outpatient diagnostic sleep magnetic resonance imaging studies without significant respiratory adverse events regardless of the severity of sleep apnea. Sedation failure and unplanned admissions are rare, and routine planned admission may not be required for this patient population.

Craniofacial Growth Modification for OSA Children

Pediatric sleep disordered breathing (SDB) includes snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in growingchildren. Because diagnostic criteria and subjective symptoms of OSA in children differ from those in adults, different diagnostic and therapeutic approach is necessary. Based on the differential growth of craniofacial struc-ture and upper airway soft tissues, phenotype-based, timely-target intervention is needed to interrupt abnormal craniofacial growth inducing or aggravating SDB symptoms and ultimately to prevent the progression to adult-hood OSA. Although adenotonsillar hypertrophy is known to be first-line treatment in pediatric OSA patients, craniofacial growth modification treatment needs to be primarily considered for the patients with craniofacial skeletal phenotypic cause. Growth modification treatment can be categorized into four modalities dependingon the craniofacial target related to the upper airway collapsibility: 1) Unlocking the mandibular growth for skeletal Class II patients with retruded small mandible; 2) Nasomaxillary protraction for skeletal Class III pa-tients with deficient midface; 3) Nasomaxillary expansion for the patients with transverse discrepancy and nasalobstruction; 4) Control of vertical maxillary excess in patients with long face and structural mouth breathing.

Comparison of polysomnography, sleep apnea screening test and cardiopulmonary coupling in the diagnosis of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

ObjectiveThe study aims to investigate into the correlation between clinical characteristics of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the results of polysomnography (PSG), sleep apnea screening test (SAST) and cardiopulmonary coupling (CPC) respectively and compare their diagnostic values for pediatric OSA patients. MethodsWe recruited 239 pediatric OSA patients aged between 2 and 12 from Jan 1, 2017 to Jun 30, 2018. All the patients received PSG, SAST and CPC simultaneously and the results of these three different tests were compared and analyzed together with their clinical features. The relationship between the size of adenoid/tonsil and the severity of OSA was also analyzed. ResultsNo statistically significant differences were noted between SAST and PSG in the oxygen desaturation index (ODI3) and lowest oxygen saturation (LsO2) respectively. No significant statistical difference was noted in the proportion of rapid eye movement sleep between CPC and PSG. The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) from CPC was significantly lower than that from PSG. In the severe OSA group, no significant statistical difference was noted in AHI between these two tests. However, AHI from CPC was significantly lower than that from PSG in other groups. No statistically significant difference was noted in AHI and ODI3 among different groups graded by the size of adenoid or tonsil, suggesting that the size of adenoid/tonsil may not be highly related to the severity of OSA. ConclusionSAST is an acceptable fast screening tool in the assessments of blood oxygen desaturation and further pediatric OSA screening. CPC is capable to screen severe pediatric OSA, but its results should be interpreted with caution for pediatric patients with non-severe OSA. The size of adenoid/tonsil may not be highly related to the severity of OSA.

Correlation between craniofacial changes and respiratory improvement after nasomaxillary skeletal expansion in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea patients.

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the changes in respiratory function and dimensions of the nasomaxillary complex (NMC) and upper airway (UA) compartments after nasomaxillary skeletal expansion (NMSE) treatment for pediatric patients withobstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Nonobese OSA patients (mean age, 13.6 ± 2.9years; mean body mass index, 18.1 ± 3.0kg/m2); mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI, 7.0 ± 5.4 events/h) presenting with transverse nasomaxillary constriction were evaluated before and after NMSE using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), home sleep test, and modified pediatric sleep questionnaire (m-PSQ). Paired t tests were performed to examine the treatment-related changes in all the parameters, and a multiple regression analysis adjusted for age and sagittal and vertical skeletal patterns was conducted to determine the dimensional parameters to affect the functional improvement. Among 26 patients,NMSE treatment significantly increased NMC dimensions at all tested levels and all UA compartments in CBCT, except glossopharyngeal airway. Concurrently, AHI, oxygen desaturation index, the lowest oxygen saturation (LSaO2), flow limitation (FL), snoring, and m-PSQ were significantly improved. AHI reduction was correlated with UA enlargement with no correlation with NMC expansion, whereas FL reduction was affected by NMC expansion. The minimal cross-sectional area was the most predictive of functional improvement, presenting correlations with AHI, LSaO2, and m-PSQ. NMSE can be a good treatment for pediatric OSA patients when applied to enhance the nasal and pharyngeal airway patencies beyond the NMC, ultimately to improve pharyngeal collapsibility as well as nasal airflow.