Inflammatory profile in obese and non-obese OSA children

Introduction : Obesity is a known risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults and in children. The prevalence of OSA in overweight (obese) children reaches up to 36%, hitting 60% when habitual snoring is present. Although inflammatory repercussions are known in adults, in children these consequences are still not well defined. Aim : to evaluate clinical reports of obstructive breathing disorders during sleep in obese and non-obese children and to evaluate the inflammatory profile in children with sleep disordered breathing, comparing the obese and non obese ones. Material and methods : 79 children were included and grouped according to BMI- percentile, the absence of respiratory complaints and polysomnographic diagnosis of OSA. The groups with obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (DROS) underwent to poligraphy to diagnosis of sleep apnea. The groups were divided into G1: non-obese OSA children; G2: obese OSA children; G3: obese children without OSA: G4: controls. All answered OSA-18 questionnaire for evaluation of quality of life. Serum inflammatory markers – TNF-alfa, IL-6 and IL-10 were dosed. Results: the values of TNF of group G1(1,8674±1,19), G2(1,8634±1,53) and G3(1,36±1,45) were statistically higher in comparison with G4(0,611±0,4), showing the positive correlation of both OSAs and obesity with the inflammatory state. The values of IL-6 and IL-10 showed no statistical difference between the groups. Conclusion: the presence of OSAS and obesity are independent risk factors for elevated levels of TNF, leading to a low-grade chronic inflammatory state and it9s riks.