The Comparison of the Sleep Structure and Sleep Spindle Activity in Children With Primary Snoring and Sleep-Disordered Breathing

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in children is associated with changes in the structure of sleep. The possible effects of snoring on spindle activity have not been established. We analyzed the polysomnography recordings and sleep spindle activity in children with primary snoring and/or OSAS compared with healthy children. Fifty-one children were included; 8 had primary snoring, 16 had OSAS and snoring, 11 had OSAS without snoring, and 16 were healthy controls. The density ( P = .034) and duration ( P = .019) of sleep spindles were decreased in children with OSAS compared with controls. The sleep spindle activity did not show significant changes between children with primary snoring and healthy controls, or between OSAS with/without snoring. We conclude that it is not snoring per se but OSAS that affects sleep spindle activity. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome with/without snoring deserves greater attention because it has different phenotypes of the disease with different pathophysiologies.

Pediatric pulmonology year in review 2022: Sleep medicine

“…They found that the density and duration of sleep spindles were decreased in children with OSA compared with controls, but were not significantly different between children with primary snoring and healthy controls, or between children with OSA with/without snoring. These findings suggest that sleep spindle activity may be a more sensitive marker of sleep quality than snoring 15 …”

“…These findings suggest that sleep spindle activity may be a more sensitive marker of sleep quality than snoring. 15…”

“…The study included 263 children undergoing PSG, of whom 70.3% had an AHI > 1 14 . Benbir Senel et al 15 investigated sleep spindle activity in children with primary snoring, OSA with snoring, OSA without snoring, and healthy controls. They found that the density and duration of sleep spindles were decreased in children with OSA compared with controls, but were not significantly different between children with primary snoring and healthy controls, or between children with OSA with/without snoring.…”