Correlations between anthropometric and metabolic parameters in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS)

In children few studies exist studying the metabolic effects of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS). In adults, OSAS significantly modifies the kinetics of ApoB, inversely affect the levels of LDL cholesterol, and thus increase the risk for atherosclerosis. This study aimed to evaluate the metabolic profile of children with OSAS and its relationships with various somatometric indexes. 42 children (2.5-14.5 years, 64.3% boys) with symptoms suggestive of OSAS were studied with Sleep polysomnography and their lipid profiles and somatometric parameters (BMI z score, WHtR, WHR, Conicity index) were recorded. The statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 21. 14/42 (33.3%) children had mild, 16/42 (38.1%) moderate and 12/42 (28.6%) severe OSAS, based on AHI. Statistically significant difference was found between BMI z score and: 1) cholesterol (p = 0.004), 2) LDL-cholesterol (p = 0.007), 3) ApoB (p = 0.024), and 4) Lpa (p = 0.041), as well as between WHtR and: 1) triglycerides (p = 0.043), and 2) HDL (p = 0.05), and between the WHR and triglycerides (p= 0.025). Although no statistically significance difference was found between AHI and lipid agents (p>0.05). ApoB was correlated with LDL cholesterol (p = 0.000) and total cholesterol (p = 0.000), but not with HDL cholesterol and triglycerides (p>0.05). In conclusion, it is possible that ApoB constitute a factor for future atherogenesis and that the factors affecting BMI z score and fat distribution do not affect childhood AHI, and probably other factors will be involved in the atherogenesis of these children when they become adults.