Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
07:54

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Published on: December 6, 2016

Can parents predict the severity of childhood obstructive sleep apnoea?

A Preutthipan1, T Chantarojanasiri, S Suwanjutha

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. raapt@mahidol.ac.th

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|July 29, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Parental observations of snoring and breathing issues in children do not reliably predict obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) severity. Polysomnography remains essential for accurate OSAS diagnosis and severity assessment.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

  • Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is a common condition in children.
  • Accurate assessment of OSAS severity is crucial for appropriate management.
  • Identifying non-invasive predictors of severity could aid clinical decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the predictive value of parental observations for OSAS severity in children.
  • To determine if specific parental reports correlate with polysomnographic findings.

Main Methods:

  • Sixty-five children diagnosed with OSAS via polysomnography were included.
  • Children were categorized into severe or non-severe OSAS groups based on the obstructive apnoea index (OAI) and oxygen saturation nadir (SpO2).
  • Parents completed questionnaires detailing observed breathing difficulties during sleep.

Main Results:

  • Parents of children with severe OSAS more frequently reported cyanosis, obstructive apnoea, loud snoring, and parental fear during sleep.
  • No significant differences in age, sex, or BMI were found between severe and non-severe OSAS groups.
  • Individual parental observations or combinations thereof did not demonstrate high sensitivity or specificity for predicting OSAS severity.

Conclusions:

  • While certain parental observations are more common in severe OSAS, they are not accurate predictors.
  • Polysomnography is indispensable for determining the severity of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome in children.
  • Clinical reliance on parental reports alone for severity assessment is not recommended.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Auricular Acupuncture as a Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Combined with Sleep Disorders05:34

Auricular Acupuncture as a Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Combined with Sleep Disorders

Published on: August 18, 2023

Acupoint Application Combined with Ear Plaster Therapy for Treating Sleep Disorders with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease04:53

Acupoint Application Combined with Ear Plaster Therapy for Treating Sleep Disorders with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Published on: October 18, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles01:30

Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles

A thorough assessment of respiratory health is paramount in clinical settings to identify and manage respiratory distress and ensure adequate oxygenation. This article elaborates on the critical aspects of respiratory evaluation, including airway assessment, skin color examination, and the observation of accessory muscle use, which are integral to effectively diagnosing and managing patients with respiratory conditions.
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
Other Pulmonary Disorders01:17

Other Pulmonary Disorders

Respiratory disorders encompass a range of conditions with varying levels of severity. Asthma, marked by chronic airway inflammation and hypersensitivity, is one such condition. It can lead to airway obstruction due to factors like bronchial spasms, mucosal edema, increased mucus secretion, or epithelial damage. Asthma triggers are diverse, ranging from allergens to emotional upset, and treatment focuses on both immediate relief through bronchodilators and long-term inflammation suppression.
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Inspection01:27

Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Inspection

Physical assessment of the respiratory tract through inspection is a crucial step in understanding the patient's respiratory health. It provides insights into the functioning of the respiratory system, the musculoskeletal structure, and even the patient's nutritional status. This comprehensive approach involves observing several vital aspects: chest configuration, breathing patterns, respiratory rates, skin color, and use of accessory muscles.
Chest Configuration
The chest configuration can...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies01:27

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies

Assessing and diagnosing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) involves a detailed approach that includes a comprehensive review of medical history, physical examination, and a variety of diagnostic tests. This thorough evaluation is essential to ensure an accurate diagnosis and guide effective management strategies.
Medical History
Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation01:13

Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation

Insufficient sleep refers to not getting the recommended amount of sleep for optimal functioning, even if it's just slightly less than needed. Sleep insufficiency may occur due to lifestyle choices, such as staying up late for social events or work, resulting in routinely getting less sleep than required. For example, consistently sleeping 6 hours when the body needs 7-9 hours can lead to cumulative effects on health and well-being.
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
Sleep Apnea01:21

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops intermittently during sleep, often leading to significant health issues. Each episode can last from 10 to 20 seconds or more and is frequently accompanied by a brief arousal from sleep. This disturbance, largely unnoticed by the individual, can lead to severe daytime fatigue. Commonly, individuals seek help after being informed by their partners about loud snoring and noticeable breathing pauses during sleep.
The condition is more prevalent among...