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

Ryan Kerstein1, Paul Stimpson, Helen Caulfield

  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK. ryan.kerstein@gmail.com

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|December 17, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Low iron levels were found in children with sleep disordered breathing (SDB) undergoing adenotonsillectomy, particularly those under six years old. Further research is needed to determine if iron deficiency causes or results from SDB.

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.
Abstract

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