Iron deficiency and sleep disordered breathing in children--cause or effect?

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Sleep Medicine
• Nutritional Science
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Iron deficiency is linked to pediatric sleep disturbances like restless leg syndrome (RLS) and periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD).
• Iron deficiency correction may improve sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in adults.
• The relationship between iron status and SDB in children is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the iron status of children diagnosed with SDB who are undergoing adenotonsillectomy.
• To investigate the prevalence and severity of iron deficiency in this pediatric population.

Main Methods:

• A consecutive series of children undergoing adenotonsillectomy for SDB between January 2007 and January 2008 were analyzed.
• Blood tests including complete blood count and iron studies were performed.
• Children were stratified into age groups: 0-2 years (group A), 2-6 years (group B), and over 6 years (group C).

Main Results:

• Ninety-four children (60 male, 34 female) with a mean age of 3.9 years were included.
• Iron deficiency was most pronounced in group A (0-2 years), with low ferritin, Mean Cell Haemoglobin (MCH), and iron saturation.
• Children in group B (2-6 years) also showed below-normal ferritin and MCH levels, though higher than in group A.

Conclusions:

• This study identified low iron status in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy for SDB, a novel finding in this population.
• Iron deficiency was most severe in children under six years old.
• The causal relationship between low iron levels and SDB in children remains undetermined.