Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome

Abstract Introduction Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is highly prevalent in children and a major public health problem. An attempt is made to determine the clinical and polysomnographic presentation of paediatric OSA in our area. Patients and methods Retrospective descriptive study of sleep tests conducted on children up to 14 years old from 1999 to 2012 in the Sleep Unit of the University Hospital of Albacete. Age, gender, anthropometric, clinical data, indication and variables of sleep study, treatment, and outcomes were collected. Results The study included 234 children. OSA was found in 71.8%, with 42.3% moderate and 44.6% severe. The majority were male (60.7%) and the mean age was 5 years, of whom 78% were pre-school or school age. There was overweight/obesity in 44%, with 93.4% snoring, apnoea 84.5%, and 5.4% daytime sleepiness. There were 23 polysomnographies and 145 polygraphies, with a median apnoea/hypopnoea index (AHI) of 10, SatO 2 minimum 84%, desaturation index 8, and mean sleep supine 53.65% and supine events 57.61%. Treatment was lifestyle modifications 29.2%, CPAP 6%, and surgery 42.9%. Improved snoring and/or apnoea 69.4%, and weight 32.4% of overweight/obesity children. Conclusions Most of the studied children had a pathological AHI. Almost half were overweight/obese, and a high percentage had moderate-severe OSA. Most frequent treatment was surgery. The clinical outcome was favourable in almost 70%. Less than a third with OSA and overweight/obesity improved weight.