Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
07:54
Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Published on: December 6, 2016
Serum nitrite and nitrate levels in children with obstructive sleep-disordered breathing
Athanasios Kaditis1, Emmanouel Alexopoulos, Georgia Ntamagka
1Sleep Disorders Laboratory, University of Thessaly School of Medicine, Larissa, Greece. KADITIA@hotmail.com
Sleep Medicine
|February 16, 2010
Summary
Children with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and hypoxemia show lower nitric oxide (NO) levels. These reduced NO metabolites in children with OSA do not appear to impact blood pressure.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Sleep Medicine
- Cardiovascular Health
Background:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is linked to reduced nitric oxide (NO) in adults.
- Data on NO levels in children with obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure serum NO metabolites in children with SDB.
- To investigate the relationship between NO metabolites, SDB, and blood pressure in children.
Main Methods:
- Assessed morning nitrite and nitrate (NOx) levels.
- Measured average evening and morning blood pressure.
- Compared children with SDB (moderate-to-severe and mild hypoxemia) against controls.
Main Results:
- Children with moderate-to-severe hypoxemia due to SDB had significantly lower NO metabolites compared to mild hypoxemia and control groups.
- No significant association was found between NO metabolites, SDB, or their interaction on blood pressure.
Conclusions:
- Moderate-to-severe hypoxemia in pediatric SDB is associated with decreased serum NO metabolites.
- Nitric oxide levels do not appear to influence blood pressure in children with SDB.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Sleep 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...
The condition is more prevalent among...
01:19Special considerations while measuring oxygen saturation
Assessing respiratory rate concurrently with pulse measurement is fundamental to patient care, providing valuable insights into the patient's respiratory function. The normal breathing rate for an adult usually falls within a normal range of 12 to 20 breaths per minute. Abnormal respiratory rates can signal underlying health conditions or the need for immediate intervention.
Ensuring accuracy in vital sign recordings while prioritizing patient comfort and minimizing anxiety is important.
Ensuring accuracy in vital sign recordings while prioritizing patient comfort and minimizing anxiety is important.
01:24Serum Studies: Renal Function Tests
Renal function tests are crucial for assessing kidney health, monitoring disease progression, and evaluating the kidneys' efficiency in waste elimination, fluid balance, and electrolyte regulation. These tests offer critical insights into kidney function, even though routine measurements may appear normal until there is a significant decline in the glomerular filtration rate or GFR. Typically, signs of kidney impairment only become evident when the GFR falls to about 50% of its normal level.
01:18Nightmares and Night Terrors
Nightmares and night terrors represent two distinct types of sleep disturbances that differ in timing, characteristics, and the sleeper's recall of the event. Nightmares are vivid, disturbing dreams that usually awaken the sleeper from REM sleep, a stage of sleep where brain activity is high, and dreams are most frequent. Upon awakening, individuals often have detailed recollections of their nightmares, which can include themes of threats to survival, security, or self-esteem.
Nightmares often...
Nightmares often...