P143: Body Position and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Infants

Abstract

Determine the association between body position and obstructive events during sleep as determined by polysomnography (PSG) in infants aged 8-12 months with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). METHODS: Consecutive nocturnal polysomnograms (NPSGs) of 50 children ages 8 to 12 months old referred to the sleep disorders center between January 1, 2003 and June 1, 2006 for possible sleep disordered breathing were retrospectively reviewed; 46% of the patients were female, and the mean age was 9.5 months. Total obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (OAHI), OAHI by body position, and REM and non-REM sleep OAHI were recorded. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the mean supine OAHI (2.1 ϩ/-SD 4.7) and the mean nonsupine OAHI (2.0 ϩ/-5.3), pϭ0.90. Children spent an average of 50% of their total sleep time supine. OSA was significantly worse in REM sleep (OAHI 4.3 ϩ/-7.3) than in non-REM sleep (OAHI 1.4 ϩ/-3.9), pϭ0.015. Mean time in REM sleep was 30% (range 5% to 42%). CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant effect of body position on OSA in 8-12 month old infants, although REM sleep represented a significant risk factor.