Treatment Of Pediatric Sleep-disordered Breathing Research Articles

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in the pediatric age: the role of the pneumologist.

This review paper aims to summarize the current state of knowledge on the role of the pneumologist in the diagnosis and respiratory treatment of children affected by obstructive Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB). A literature review has been performed on the following topics: obstructive SDB and its clinical entities, indications for respiratory treatment of pediatric SDB, and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV) treatment approach to obstructive SDB. OSDB is related to obesity, craniofacial pathologies, neuromuscular disorders and, most commonly, oadenotonsillar hypertrophy. Adenotonsillectomy is the first-choice treatment in children with obstructive apnea secondary to adenotonsillar hypertrophy. CPAP and NIPPV are recommended in cases where Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) persists after surgery or when surgery is contraindicated. Treatment interventions are usually implemented gradually by separately addressing each abnormality that would predispose to obstructive SDB, then reevaluating after each intervention to detect any residual disease and to assess the need for additional treatment. Many pediatric patients continue to experience problems and symptoms such as hypersomnia and apnea after adenotonsillectomy and need CPAP/NIPPV treatment. Current knowledge is still incomplete, especially with regard to the mechanisms of pathogenesis of pediatric OSA, the factors affecting pediatric OSA, and the phenotypic variability of the disease. A better understanding of these aspects would contribute to the development of new therapies.

Topikal Mometazon Furoat Kullanımının Adenoid Doku Üzerindeki Histopatolojik Etkisi

Objective: Pediatric sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is a common childhood disease with a potential risk of several comorbidities. The most common cause of SDB in childhood is upper airway obstruction due to adenotonsillar hypertrophy and the classical treatment is adenotonsillectomy. However, it carries a risk of many complications and persistent apnea. Topical nasal steroid treatment may be an alternative to surgery in the treatment of pediatric SDB. However, histopathological effects of topical nasal steroids are mostly understudied. Methods: A retrospective controlled clinical study in an academic tertiary referral center. A total of 110 children were involved in the study who underwent adenoidectomy for the treatment of SDB. The study group (51-children) was treated with topical nasal mometasone furoate monohydrate 100 mcg/day. The control group (59-children) was selected randomly and all had no history of topical nasal steroid pre-operatively. Post-operative adenoidectomy specimens were reviewed according to acute/chronic inflammation findings, follicular hyperplasia, goblet cell hyperplasia, squamous metaplasia, fibrosis, atrophy, ulcer and hemorrhage. The findings were scored semiquantitatively for statistical analysis. Results: Chronic inflammation findings, follicular hyperplasia and goblet cell hyperplasia were significantly decreased in the study group in addition fibrosis, atrophy and ulcer findings were significantly increased in the study group. However, there was no statistical difference between the groups according to acute inflammation and hemorrhage. Conclusion: Topical nasal corticosteroids significantly suppress the nasopharyngeal inflammatory process in SDB. This treatment may be an alternative to surgery at least in patients with mild and moderate disease.

Physician Perspectives on Decision Making for Treatment of Pediatric Sleep-Disordered Breathing.

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is prevalent in children and most commonly treated by surgery with adenotonsillectomy. We aimed to learn physician perspectives of social and communication factors that influence decision making for treatment of pediatric SDB. Purposive sampling identified 10 physician key informants across disciplines and practice settings, who participated in semistructured interviews regarding SDB care experiences and communication with parents. Interviews were analyzed using directed qualitative content analysis. Physicians provided a variety of perspectives on decision making for treatment that fell into 3 overarching themes: approach to surgery and alternatives, communication and decision making with families, and sociocultural factors/barriers to care. Perspectives were moderately heterogeneous, suggesting that individual social and relational elements may significantly influence how physicians refer patients and recommend treatment, and how parents choose surgery for this prevalent condition. These findings will inform development of culturally competent communication strategies and support tools to enhance shared decision making for physicians treating children with SDB.

Critical role of myofascial reeducation in pediatric sleep-disordered breathing

Limited studies suggest that pubertal development may lead to a recurrence of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) despite previous curative surgery. Our study evaluates the impact of myofunctional reeducation in children with SDB referred for adenotonsillectomy, orthodontia, and myofunctional treatment in three different geographic areas. A retrospective investigation of children with polysomnographic analysis following adenotonsillectomy were referred for orthodontic treatment and were considered for myofunctional therapy. Clinical information was obtained during pediatric and orthodontic follow-up. Polysomnography (PSG) at the time of diagnosis, following adenotonsillectomy, and at long-term follow-up, were compared. The PSG obtained at long-term follow-up was scored by a single-blinded investigator. Complete charts providing the necessary medical information for long-term follow-up were limited. A subgroup of 24 subjects (14 boys) with normal PSG following adenotonsillectomy and orthodontia were referred for myofunctional therapy, with only 11 subjects receiving treatment. Follow-up evaluation was performed between the 22nd and 50th month after termination of myofunctional reeducation or orthodontic treatment if reeducation was not received. Thirteen out of 24 subjects who did not receive myofunctional reeducation developed recurrence of symptoms with a mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI)=5.3±1.5 and mean minimum oxygen saturation=91±1.8%. All 11 subjects who completed myofunctional reeducation for 24 months revealed healthy results. Despite experimental and orthodontic data supporting the connection between orofacial muscle activity and oropharyngeal development as well as the demonstration of abnormal muscle contraction of upper airway muscles during sleep in patients with SDB, myofunctional therapy rarely is considered in the treatment of pediatric SDB. Absence of myofascial treatment is associated with a recurrence of SDB.

Comparison of oxygen desaturation patterns in children and adults with sleep-disordered breathing

PurposeAlthough the number of apnea–hypopnea episodes per hour apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) is typically used to evaluate sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in adults, it does not provide an accurate characterization of SDB in children. We investigated differences in SDB patterns in children and adults to evaluate SDB severity in children. Materials and methodsFifteen adults (mean age, 45.3±8.4years) and 15 children (mean age, 6.7±3.9years) with adenotonsillar hypertrophy underwent standard polysomnography. The change of oxygen saturation (ΔSpO2) was defined as the difference between baseline SpO2 during stable nighttime breathing and the lowest SpO2 accompanied by an apnea–hypopnea event. The number of apnea-hypopnea episodes was determined using two different criteria to define an episode (criterion 1: cessation of airflow for at least 10s; criterion 2: cessation of airflow for at least two consecutive breaths). ResultsMean ΔSpO2 accompanied by obstructive apneas lasting ≤10s was significantly greater in children than in adults, although there was no significant difference in the duration of apnea–hypopnea episodes. The slope of the regression line between ΔSpO2 and apnea-hypopnea duration in children was greater than in adults (P<0.005). AHI in children was higher when calculated using criterion 2 compared to criterion 1 (10.9±9.4 vs. 6.5±4.9/h, P=0.003). ConclusionsΔSpO2 is a good indicator of SDB severity in children, and should therefore be considered in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric SDB along with AHI.

Adenotonsillectomy for sleep-disordered breathing in a predominantly obese pediatric population

ObjectivesTo determine the efficacy of adenotonsillectomy (T&A) in the treatment of pediatric sleep-disordered breathing, and to determine the natural history in untreated children. MethodsThe charts of children aged 1–12 who underwent polysomnography (PSG) between 1/2006 and 6/2009 were reviewed to identify children with positive studies. Children not treated by T&A were recruited and matched by age, time since initial PSG, and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) to children who underwent T&A. All participants were evaluated by a clinical assessment score (CAS-15), follow-up PSG, and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). ResultsSixteen matched pairs completed the study. Ten (63%) T&A patients were overweight or obese compared with 14 (88%) untreated patients. There was a greater median improvement in AHI in the surgical group compared to the nonsurgical group (10.3 vs. 6.5, p=0.044). Although the T&A children were more likely to have a follow-up AHI<5 (81% vs. 69%) and <1 (44% vs. 25%), these results were not significant. The T&A group had significantly lower mean (SD) scores on the CAS-15 [8.9(6.1) vs. 29.4(16.2), p<0.001] and the CBCL total problem score [43.9(8.7) vs. 58.9(13.0), p<0.001]. Younger age at presentation (rho=−0.76, p<0.001), initial AHI (0.87, p<0.001), and initial AI (0.63, p=0.05) were correlated with change in AHI among T&A subjects. ConclusionsT&A was more effective in reducing AHI than no surgery. Median AHI improved in the nonsurgical group, and 4/16 (25%) untreated patients were cured (AHI<1).

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.