Serum resistin levels in children with habitual snoring

Introduction : Intermittent episodes of hypoxia, and reoxygenation in patients with habitual snoring(HS) might predispose to cell stress trough the activation of a proinflammatory response. Resistin, an adipokine produced by adipocytes, circulating monocytes and macrophages is known to be involved in the inflammatory response regulation. Objectives: To investigate the association between HS severity and serum levels of resistin. Methods: Fifty-three children (35 males; 66%) with HS aged between 4 and 16 years of life (mean age 8 ± 3 years) were selected by a SDB validate questionnaire and underwent nocturnal pulse-oximetry recording at home. Moreover 33 healthy non snorers children with similar age, sex and BMI, were included in the study as a control group. Results: Children with HS had serum resistin levels higher than the control group (4,67 ± 1,91 ng/ml vs 3,80 ± 1,50 ng/ml; p<0.04). Notably the highest resistin levels were found in children with not conclusive and positive pulse-oximetry (5,29 ± 1,91 ng/ml vs 4,20 ± 1,93 ng/ml; p<0.008). Conclusions: Our findings support the evidence of an increased production of pro-inflammatory mediators, such as resistin, in children with HS. These results might be probably due to the intermittent hypoxia and reoxygenation often occurring during sleep in children with Sleep disordered breathing. The presence of HS should be always investigated by pediatricians in order to identify children at risk of the early development of complications.