Some infants with Down syndrome spontaneously outgrow their obstructive sleep apnea

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 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

Dennis Rosen1

  • 1Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, MA, USA. dennis.rosen@childrens.harvard.edu

Clinical Pediatrics
|August 21, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Many infants with Down syndrome (DS) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may outgrow the condition. This finding impacts treatment decisions, suggesting shorter interventions may suffice for some children with DS and OSA.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Genetics
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is prevalent in children with Down syndrome (DS).
  • Spontaneous resolution of OSA in infants with DS is observed, but its frequency and treatment implications are not well-defined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the natural history of OSA in infants with Down syndrome.
  • To inform treatment strategies for OSA in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of infants with DS under 2 years old referred for sleep studies due to suspected OSA.
  • Analysis of diagnostic criteria and treatment outcomes.

Main Results:

  • 16 out of 29 infants with DS were diagnosed with OSA.
  • Three of six infants treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) showed no evidence of OSA on follow-up sleep studies at 5, 5, and 10 months.

Conclusions:

  • A substantial proportion of infants with DS and OSA may resolve their condition within months.
  • These findings suggest that the duration of treatment, particularly the choice between CPAP and tracheostomy, should be carefully considered.
Abstract

More Related Videos

In Vitro Modeling of Down Syndrome Neurogenesis Using Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells06:38

In Vitro Modeling of Down Syndrome Neurogenesis Using Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: March 7, 2025

Related Concept Videos

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...
Breathing01:05

Breathing

The process of breathing, inhaling and exhaling, involves the coordinated movement of the chest wall, the lungs, and the muscles that move them. Two muscle groups with important roles in breathing are the diaphragm, located directly below the lungs, and the intercostal muscles, which lie between the ribs. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and creating more room for the lungs to expand. When the intercostal muscles contract, the ribs...
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.
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...
Sleep-Wake Cycles01:24

Sleep-Wake Cycles

Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and  rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
Meiosis vs. Mitosis02:57

Meiosis vs. Mitosis

Cell division is necessary for growth and reproduction in organisms. Mitosis aids cell growth and development by dividing somatic cells. In contrast, meiosis causes the division of germ cells and plays an essential role in sexual reproduction. Due to their unique functional requirements, mitosis and meiosis differ from each other in multiple aspects.
Before the start of mitosis and meiosis I, the cell synthesizes DNA, resulting in two homologous copies of each chromosome. DNA synthesis is...