Pediatric Sleep-disordered Breathing Research Articles

Fisiopatología de los trastornos respiratorios del sueño en los niños

Sleep-disordered breathing represents a broad spectrum of alterations, ranging from habitual snoring, through obstructive hypoventilation to obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome, and produces breathing and architecture anomalies during sleep. There are some controversies on the physiopathological mechanisms of sleep-disordered breathing and its metabolic, neurocognitive and cardiovascular effects. The causes of comorbidity in obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome in children are not yet well known and can include blood gasometric anomalies, fragmented sleep, and local and systemic inflammation, modulated by genetic, environmental and ethnic factors. The pathogenesis of pediatric sleep-disordered breathing undoubtedly involves complex interactions between anatomical or structural and functional factors, an airway prone to collapse and deficient neuromuscular compensation. Moreover, in children, sleep progresses in accordance with central nervous system development, which varies with age. This article reviews the role of the distinct anatomic, functional and inflammatory factors in the pathophysiology of pediatric sleep-disordered breathing.

Polysomnography outcomes for partial intracapsular versus total tonsillectomy

Objective To demonstrate similar improvement in pediatric sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) as determined by polysomnography (PSG) with microdebrider-assisted partial intracapsular tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (PITA) versus Bovie electrocautery complete tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A). Methods In this retrospective cohort study, 30 children found to have SDB by PSG who have undergone either PITA (15 participants) or T&A (15 participants) as treatment were evaluated with standardized history and physical examination and unattended home overnight PSG. Results Median change in apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) was 1.7 (−4.9 to 29.8) for the PITA group and 2.3 (−10.9 to 64.1) for the T&A group, although there was substantially more variability in the T&A group. A mixed linear model evaluating the relation of surgical group with change in AHI demonstrated no significant differences in group means ( F[1,13] = 0.31, P = .590) but the variances differed significantly (residual likelihood ratio chi-square = 5.24, df = 1, P = .022). Five of 15 (33%) PITA patients and 4 of 15 (27%) T&A patients had postoperative AHI scores of ≤5; this difference was not statistically significant (Fisher exact test P = 1.000). There was no significant interaction or substantial confounding effect of age, sex, race, preoperative tonsil size, preoperative AHI, or body mass index in the model relating surgery type to reduction of postoperative AHI to ≤5. Conclusions Our study demonstrates no clinically or statistically significant differences in PSG and clinical outcomes between PITA and T&A for treatment of pediatric SDB in otherwise healthy children.

Sleep-disordered breathing symptoms frequency and growth among prematurely born infants

Background Children who were born prematurely are at higher risk for sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) compared to their same-age peers who were born fullterm. Objective The objective of the present study was to assess the frequency of SDB symptoms and effects on growth among preterm infants while they are still infants, with a goal of identifying risk factors to facilitate prevention and early intervention. Methods The Louisville pediatric SDB risk survey was administered to the primary caretakers of prematurely born infants attending the Neonatal Follow-Up Clinic at West Virginia University Children’s Hospital. Results Participation was 100% among 173 consecutive patients invited to participate in the study. At 9.13 months corrected age, 8.1% of infants born at a mean of 31.6 weeks gestation were reported to snore ⩾3 days/week, a rate consistent with diagnosis of sleep-disordered breathing among older children. A composite of nine parent-reported symptoms was created based on factor analysis. Birth weight and size for gestational age at birth did not differ between snoring groups or correlate with the composite score. But a significant negative correlation between the composite risk for SDB score and current weight for adjusted age percentile score indicate that infants with higher SDB symptom profiles have lower weight for age ( r = −.18, p = .028). Conclusions SDB symptoms are detectable among infants born preterm, while they are still infants. Because of their preferential risk for SDB and its somatic consequences, a primary research goal should be description of the natural history of SDB and identification of modifiable risk factors and treatment options.

Sleep disordered breathing in children

Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in children has been recognized over the past two decades due to research and clinical advances in pediatric sleep medicine. Pediatric SDB comprises of central apnoea/hypoventilation, apnoea of prematuriry, the spectrum of obstructive sleep hypoventilation disorders and hypoventilation during sleep due to chronic pulmonary disease. Obstructive sleep hypoventilation syndromes have a clinical range from primary snoring, through upper airway resistance syndrome to obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). Though, the exact prevalence of SDB and obstructive sleep hypoventilation syndrome is not known, the prevalence of OSAS in children varies between 1–4%. Pathophysiology, clinical manifestation, diagnosis and treatment of pediatric SDB which differs from adult SDB is reviewed along with its recent advances.

Determinants of Regional Cerebral Oxygenation in Children with Sleep-disordered Breathing

An association between neurocognitive deficits and pediatric sleep-disordered breathing has been suggested; however, weak correlations between disease severity and functional outcomes underscore the lack of knowledge regarding factors modulating cognitive morbidity of sleep-disordered breathing. To identify the parameters affected by sleep-disordered breathing that modulate cerebral oxygenation, an important determinant of cognition. A further objective was to use these parameters with demographic data to develop a predictive statistical model of pediatric cerebral oxygenation. Ninety-two children (14 control subjects, 32 with primary snoring, and 46 with obstructive sleep apnea) underwent polysomnography with continuous monitoring of cerebral oxygenation and blood pressure. Analysis of covariance was used to relate the blood pressure, sleep diagnostic parameters, and demographic characteristics to regional cerebral oxygenation. To account for anatomic variability, an index of cerebral oxygenation during sleep was derived by referencing the measurement obtained during sleep to that obtained during wakefulness. In a repeated measures model predicting the index of cerebral oxygenation, mean arterial pressure, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, female sex, age, and oxygen saturation had a positive effect on cerebral oxygenation levels, whereas arousal index and non-REM (NREM) sleep had a negative effect. Increasing mean arterial pressure, age, oxygen saturation, and REM sleep augment cerebral oxygenation, while sleep-disordered breathing, male sex, arousal index, and NREM sleep diminish it. The proposed model may explain the sources of variability in cognitive function of children with sleep-disordered breathing.

Update in Sleep and Control of Ventilation 2007

with cognitive deficits and behavioral abnormalities, but this does not occur in all children and is not fully accounted for by OSA severity. Gozal and colleagues (3) hypothesized that C-reactive protein levels may identify children with OSA who have high susceptibility for cognitive abnormalities. In a community-based study of snoring and nonsnoring school-aged children (5–7 yr, n 5 278 subjects), C-reactive protein levels were measured in the morning after full polysomnography, and a battery of neurocognitive tests were also performed. C-reactive protein levels were nearly double in the children with OSA compared with control subjects (0.36 6 0.11 vs. 0.19 6 0.07 mg/dl). Importantly, these levels were further elevated in the children with OSA who also exhibited neurocognitive deficits compared with the children with OSA who had normal cognitive assessments, again with the difference being approximately twofold (0.48 6 0.12 vs. 0.21 6 0.08 mg/dl). Although cause and effect were not proven in this study, the results highlight that the level of systemic inflammation in pediatric sleepdisordered breathing, as indicated by C-reactive protein, is associated with adverse neurobehavioral outcomes. The effects of OSA on behavioral outcomes may relate to recent findings that exposure to long-term intermittent hypoxia in a mouse model of OSA causes irreversible impairments in the neuronal systems regulating wakefulness, especially selective loss of catecholaminergic arousal neurons via NADPH oxidase–mediated neuronal injury (4).

Epidemiology of Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has become widely recognized only in the last few decades as a likely cause of significant morbidity among children. Many of the clinical characteristics of pediatric OSA, and the determinants of its epidemiology, differ from those of adult OSA. We systematically reviewed studies on the epidemiology of conditions considered part of a pediatric sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) continuum, ranging from primary snoring to OSA. We highlight a number of methodologic challenges, including widely variable methodologies for collection of questionnaire data about symptomatology, definitions of habitual snoring, criteria for advancing to further diagnostic testing, and objective diagnostic criteria for SDB or OSA. In the face of these limitations, estimated population prevalences are as follows: parent-reported "always" snoring, 1.5 to 6%; parent-reported apneic events during sleep, 0.2 to 4%; SDB by varying constellations of parent-reported symptoms on questionnaire, 4 to 11%; OSA diagnosed by varying criteria on diagnostic studies, 1 to 4%. Overall prevalence of parent-reported snoring by any definition in meta-analysis was 7.45% (95% confidence interval, 5.75-9.61). A reasonable preponderance of evidence now suggests that SDB is more common among boys than girls, and among children who are heavier than others, with emerging data to suggest a higher prevalence among African Americans. Less convincing data exist to prove differences in prevalence based on age. We conclude by outlining specific future research needs in the epidemiology of pediatric SDB.

Childhood Obstructive Sleep-Disordered Breathing: A Clinical Update and Discussion of Technological Innovations and Challenges

Childhood sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) has been known to be associated with health and cognitive impacts for more than a century, and yet our understanding of this disorder is in its infancy. Neuropsychological consequences in children with snoring or subtle breathing disturbances not meeting the traditional definition of sleep apnea suggest that "benign, or primary snoring" may be clinically significant, and that the true prevalence of SDB might be underestimated. There is no standard definition of SDB in children. The polysomnographic technology used in many sleep laboratories may be inadequate to diagnose serious but subtle forms of clinically important airflow limitation. In the last several years, advances in digital technology as well as new observational studies of respiratory and arousal patterns in large populations of healthy children have led to alternative views of what constitutes sleep-related breathing and arousal abnormalities that may refine our diagnostic criteria. This article reviews our knowledge of childhood SDB, highlights recent advances in technology, and discusses diagnostic and treatment strategies that will advance the management of children with pediatric SDB.

Risk for sleep-disordered breathing and executive function in preschoolers

Background Pediatric sleep-disordered breathing is known to negatively impact cognitive development. While a theoretical basis has been proposed for the developmental effect of pediatric sleep-disordered breathing on executive function specifically, this had not been directly examined among preschool-age children. This population may be particularly vulnerable if school-readiness is compromised. The purpose of the current study was to use a multi-dimensional approach to assessing executive function among preschool-age children at risk for sleep-disordered breathing. Methods Thirty-nine preschool children were administered executive function tasks assessing the dimensions of inhibition, working memory, and planning as part of a larger study. A parent or guardian completed a validated questionnaire concerning the child’s snoring and other behaviors indicating risk for sleep-disordered breathing. Results After controlling for age in a series of regressions, higher parent-reported risk for sleep-disordered breathing was associated with substantially lower performance on each executive function dimension. In comparing the group means of children at high and low risk for sleep-disordered breathing, the single snoring frequency item also showed that children who snored frequently or almost always had lower performance on each executive function dimension. Conclusions The results suggest that sleep-disordered breathing may be associated with impaired executive function in preschoolers, with its strongest impact on the inhibition dimension, further emphasizing the importance of early intervention for sleep-disordered breathing in this early age group.

Pediatric Hypertension Could Suggest Sleep-Disordered Breathing

Pediatric Hypertension Could Suggest Sleep-Disordered Breathing

Urinary F2-isoprostane metabolite levels in children with sleep-disordered breathing

Oxidant stress-related mechanisms have been proposed as a major contributor to the increased prevalence of cardiovascular morbidity in adult patients with sleep-disordered breathing. Isoprostanes provide a reliable biomarker of oxidant injury in vivo. The purpose of the present study was to examine the hypothesis that oxidant stress, as evidenced by increased levels of F2-isoprostane metabolites (IsoP-m) in urine, is present in children with a spectrum of sleep-disordered breathing. Assays were performed on urinary samples obtained from each of 47 pediatric patients immediately upon awakening after standard overnight polysomnography. Of the subjects, 15% had mild, 9% had moderate, and 6% had severe sleep-disordered breathing. After controlling for correlations between BMI and IsoP-m and SpO2 values, IsoP-m values were unrelated to any polysomnographic measures. The absence of increased levels of urinary F2-isoprostane metabolites in children with sleep-disordered breathing suggests that oxidative stress is not a significant feature of pediatric sleep-disordered breathing.

Pulse-oximetery is useful in determining the indications for adeno-tonsillectomy in pediatric sleep-disordered breathing

Although first line therapy of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in children is adeno-tonsillectomy, the indications for this operation have not yet been clearly established. We investigated whether pulse-oximetry is useful for determining the optional treatment modality for pediatric SDB. Two hundred and thirty-two children presenting with snoring and gasping had their oxygen saturation levels examined during sleep. Among them, 86 underwent on adeno-tonsillectomy and were evaluated pre- and post-surgery. We also examined 25 healthy children as controls. Little desaturation was observed in healthy children. The difference in oxygen saturation levels of the patients between pre- and post-surgery was closely correlated with the pre-surgery levels. We examined the reaction operation characteristics and concluded that children with an oxygen desaturation index of 4% or more (ODI4) of more than 1.5 and/or ODI3 of more than 3.5 should undergo surgery. Pulse-oximetry is useful in determining the indications for adeno-tonsillectomy.

Variation of Cognition and Achievement With Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Full-term and Preterm Children

Pediatric sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) has a disproportionately high prevalence in children who were preterm infants (preterm children) and is associated with behavioral comorbidity. Exposure to intermittent hypoxemia and sleep disruption may contribute to cognitive impairment. We quantified the association of SDB with cognition and achievement and determined whether preterm children are at a differentially increased risk for SDB-related impairments. Cross-sectional analyses. Urban community. Eight hundred thirty-five children, aged 8 to 11 years.Intervention(s) None. Scores on the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised, Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, and Continuous Performance Test. One hundred sixty-four children had SDB. In unadjusted analyses, children with SDB had poorer scores on almost all tests of cognition and achievement. Group differences were attenuated after adjusting for socioeconomic status; in these analyses, children with SDB scored lower on the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised (mean +/- SE score, 100.5 +/- 1.4 vs 103.6 +/- 0.7; P = .04), and the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children riddles and triangles subscales. Associations were stronger in preterm than in full-term children. Of the sleep measures, snoring history was most strongly correlated with indices of cognition and achievement. Although moderate group differences were observed for almost all cognitive measures, an attenuation of effects was observed once socioeconomic status was considered. The deficits in selective measures of academic abilities, language comprehension, and planning and organizational skills suggest a negative impact of SDB on achievement and cognition. Stronger associations in preterm children suggest the importance of screening for snoring, a good predictor of cognitive function in this population.

Variation of C-Reactive Protein Levels in Adolescents

There is increasing evidence that sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adults. C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of systemic inflammation, is an important predictor of future cardiovascular events. The goal of this study was to quantify the associations of SDB, sleep duration, and CRP in adolescents to better understand the role of SDB in CVD risk. Adolescents (n=143; age, 13 to 18 years; 36% black; 50% female) with a wide range of SDB severity underwent polysomnography and measurement of high-sensitivity CRP. SDB was quantified with the apnea hypopnea index (AHI) and oxygen desaturation measures. Sleep duration was estimated from 7-day actigraphy. The independent and dose-response associations of SDB with CRP were addressed through linear mixed-effects models. Forty-eight percent were overweight or obese, and 12% had SDB (AHI > or =5). CRP levels varied with increasing body mass index and SDB. After adjustment for body mass index , age, sex, and race, mean CRP levels were 0.50, 0.43, 0.97, and 1.66 mg/L for SDB severity levels of AHI <1, 1 to 4.9, 5 to 14.9, and > or =15, respectively (P=0.0049, AHI > or =15 versus <1). Adjusted mean CRP levels demonstrated a dose response with SDB above a threshold AHI of 5. This association was partially explained by overnight hypoxemia and less so by sleep duration. In adolescents free of known CVD, an AHI > or =5 is associated with increasing levels of CRP, suggesting that pediatric SDB may confer additional CVD risk beyond that of obesity.

Sleep Pressure Correlates of Cognitive and Behavioral Morbidity in Snoring Children

Sleep architecture is not preserved in children with sleep-disordered breathing but, rather, undergoes dynamic changes that exhibit significant correlation with severity of sleep-disordered breathing. A sleep pressure score (SPS) with a cutoff value of 0.25 was derived from analysis of a large cohort of snoring and control children. Neurocognitive batteries were applied to examine the potential effect of SPS. Prospective study. 199 children who underwent a battery of neurobehavioral tests following an overnight sleep study were assigned to SPSHigh (> or = 0.25) or SPSLow (< 0.25) groups, and their neurocognitive performances were compared. Children in the SPSHigh group were significantly more likely to have deficits in memory, language abilities, verbal abilities, and some visuospatial functions than were children in the SPSLow group. These effects remained highly significant after adjusting for confounding variables and exhibited small to moderate effect sizes. We conclude that a sleep-pressure numerical factor derived from the overnight polysomnogram in snoring children is associated with deficits in neurobehavioral daytime functions that is independent of respiratory disturbance and hypoxemia and suggests a significant role for disturbed sleep homeostasis in pediatric sleep-disordered breathing.

Blood pressure in sleep disordered breathing

Aims: To investigate blood pressure (BP) in children with sleep disordered breathing (SDB). Methods: BP was measured during single night polysomnography in 23 suspected SDB child patients with adenotonsillar hypertrophy,...