Sleep architecture and the apnoea–hypopnoea index in children with obstructive‐sleep apnoea syndrome

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the sleep architecture and craniofacial morphology in a group of children divided by different levels of apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI), 5, 4.5, 4, 3.5, 3 and 2.5, and to determine an AHI threshold value at which sleep architecture is most affected. 23 children, who were selected from a preliminary questionnaire survey about sleep-related breathing disorders, were evaluated with cephalometric radiographs and overnight polysomnography. The findings indicated that the children with AH1 > or = 2.5 and > or = 3 showed significantly larger numbers of waking (p < 0.005) and desaturation index (p < 0.01) than those with AHI <2.3 and <3, respectively. Significantly (p < 0.05) higher amounts of waking and lower amounts of REM as a percentage of total sleep time (TST) were also found in the children with AH1 > or = 3. In the subgroups with AHI > or = 3.5 and > or = 4, only the percentage of REM was found to be significantly (p < 0.05) lower. No significant differences were found at the AHI threshold of 4.5 and 4. AHI correlated significantly (p < 0.05) with the number of awakenings, amount of waking as a percentage of TST, desaturation index and oxygen saturation nadir. Higher incidence of skeletal Class II pattern was found in children with AHI > or = 2.5 and > or = 3, and Class III in those with AHI <2.3 and <3, respectively. The effects on polysomnographic characteristics demonstrated to be the greatest on children at the AHI threshold of 3. In addition, the evaluation of oxygen saturation can be used to provide some information concerning the severity of sleep-related breathing disorders.

Childhood Obesity and its Influence on Sleep Disorders: Kids-Play Study

“…We chose to use the AHI as the main measure with the oxygen-desaturation index as a support measure, thus strengthening diagnosis. The reliability of the AHI was confirmed in previous studies, such as Masumoto et al [31], who reported that children with AHI > 3 experienced greater sleep disturbance than those with lower AHI values. Accordingly, AHI ≥ 3 was established as a valid measure for diagnosing sleep patterns, and for differentiating between mild and severe disorders.…”

How is the Epworth Sleepiness Scale related with subjective sleep quality and polysomnographic features in patients with sleep-disordered breathing?

“…On the other hand, although there is evidence on serious disturbances in the sleep architecture (SA) of pediatric [9] and adult patients with OSAS [10] and that continuous positive airway pressure therapy provides significant amelioration in SA [11], there is a lack of research aimed at clarifying the relationship between DS, and subjective sleep quality (SSQ) and polysomnography (PSG; SA and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) features) in patients with PS or OSAS.…”

Longitudinal Morphological Changes in the Adenoids and Tonsils in Japanese School Children

“…Matsumoto et al [15] investigated the characteristics of craniofacial architecture in children with OSAS, and demonstrated that 47% of the children with apnea-hypopnea indexes (AHI) ≥ 3 were considered to have skeletal Class II, and that 63% of the children with AHI < 3 were skeletal Class III. Hoekema et al [16] also indicated that a larger ANB angle was found in children with OSAS.…”