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Reference values for sleep-related respiratory variables in asymptomatic European children and adolescents

S L Verhulst1, N Schrauwen, D Haentjens

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium. stijn.verhulst@ua.ac.be

Pediatric Pulmonology
|December 23, 2006
PubMed

Insights

This study establishes normal sleep-related respiratory values in European children, finding low apnea and hypopnea indices. Overweight children showed lower oxygen saturation during sleep.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Respiratory Physiology in Children
  • Clinical Sleep Research

Background:

  • Limited normative data exists for pediatric sleep-related respiratory variables, particularly from European populations.
  • Previous studies establishing normal values have not included European children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To expand the knowledge on normative data for sleep-related respiratory variables in a European pediatric cohort.
  • To provide reference values for central apnea index, obstructive apnea index, and oxygen saturation in children aged 6-16.

Main Methods:

  • Full polysomnography was performed on 60 children aged 6 to 16 years.
  • Inclusion criteria required absence of sleep-disordered breathing or other sleep problems.
  • Clinical history and polysomnographic data were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • The mean central apnea index was 0.85 ± 1.06 and obstructive apnea index was 0.06 ± 0.16.
  • Respiratory disturbance index averaged 1.98 ± 1.39, with minimal hypopneas detected.
  • Overweight children exhibited a lower nadir oxygen saturation (SaO2nadir) and a higher oxygen desaturation index (ODI) compared to normal-weight peers.

Conclusions:

  • The study provides normative values for sleep-related respiratory variables in European children.
  • Findings align with previous non-European studies, supporting generalizability of some pediatric sleep data.
  • Overweight status is associated with poorer nocturnal oxygenation in children.
Abstract

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