Severe obesity is a risk factor for severe obstructive sleep apnea in obese children

Kanokporn Udomittipong1, Nitipatana Chierakul, Pimon Ruttanaumpawan

  • 1Siriraj Sleep Center, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University Bangkok, Thailand. sikui@mahidol.ac.th

Insights

Severe obesity in children significantly predicts severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Early recognition of severe OSA in obese children with snoring is crucial due to potential health complications.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Obesity is a growing concern in pediatric populations worldwide.
  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common comorbidity associated with obesity in children.
  • Understanding the relationship between obesity severity and OSA severity is vital for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between the degree of obesity and the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in Thai children.
  • To identify obesity as a risk factor for severe OSA in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study of 73 obese children (aged 3-15 years) who underwent polysomnography (PSG).
  • Obesity classified by percentage of ideal weight for height (%W/H): mild (120-139), moderate (140-159), severe (160-199), and morbid (≥200).
  • OSA classified by apnea-hypopnea index (AHI): severe (AHI ≥10) and non-severe (AHI <10).

Main Results:

  • The severe OSA group showed a significantly greater %W/H (171.38%) compared to the non-severe OSA group (157.19%).
  • Severe to morbid obesity (OR 2.80) and enlarged tonsils (OR 3.28) were identified as significant risk factors for severe OSA.
  • No significant differences were found in gender, age, height, weight, or BMI between severe and non-severe OSA groups.

Conclusions:

  • Severe to morbid obesity is a significant predicting factor for severe obstructive sleep apnea in children.
  • Severely obese children presenting with snoring require early screening for severe OSA.
  • Prompt diagnosis and management of severe OSA in obese children are essential to prevent associated health sequelae.
Abstract

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...
Obesity01:24

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in adipocytes...
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution01:25

Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution

Obesity significantly alters the pharmacokinetic processes of drug absorption and distribution, presenting unique challenges in medical treatment. The increased fat tissue and decreased lean muscle in obese individuals can significantly affect how drugs are absorbed into the body and distributed across different tissues. This alteration can lead to variances in the effectiveness and safety of medications, necessitating adjustments in dosing or drug selection for obese patients.One notable...
Drug Dosing: Obese Patients01:21

Drug Dosing: Obese Patients

In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...