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Published on: August 3, 2021
Nocturnal oxygen saturation in children with stable cystic fibrosis
Lianne van der Giessen1, Marije Bakker, Koen Joosten
1Department of Paediatric Physiotherapy, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. l.vandergiessen@erasmusmc.nl
Insights
Nocturnal oxygen saturation in children with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is lower than in healthy children and correlates with lung function and CT scans. One night of monitoring provides a representative measure of oxygen saturation in stable CF patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Sleep Medicine
- Respiratory Disease Research
Background:
- Nocturnal hypoxemia is common in advanced Cystic Fibrosis (CF) lung disease, impacting sleep quality.
- Data on nocturnal oxygen saturation in pediatric CF patients are limited.
- Understanding sleep oxygenation is crucial for managing CF progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate nocturnal oxygen saturation profiles in clinically stable pediatric CF patients.
- To correlate sleep oxygen saturation with spirometry, cough frequency, and CT scan findings.
- To determine the reliability of single-night oxygen saturation measurements in this population.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-five clinically stable pediatric CF patients underwent two nights of cough recording and oxygen saturation monitoring.
- Spirometry was performed the day after recordings.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan scores were analyzed retrospectively.
Main Results:
- Twenty-two patients (mean age 13 years) were included; spirometry showed reduced lung function (e.g., FEV1% 77).
- Mean nocturnal oxygen saturation was high (95.6-96.2%) but correlated positively with lung function (FVC, FEV1, FEF75).
- Nocturnal oxygen saturation negatively correlated with CT scores for overall lung disease and bronchiectasis.
Conclusions:
- Children with stable CF exhibit lower nocturnal oxygen saturation compared to healthy peers.
- Nocturnal oxygen saturation is a relevant biomarker, correlating with lung function and structural lung damage.
- A single night of monitoring is sufficient to obtain a representative measure of nocturnal oxygen saturation in stable CF.
Background:
Hypoxemia during sleep is a common finding in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients with more advanced lung disease. Nocturnal hypoxemia is associated with frequent awakenings and poor sleep quality. For children with CF, data of nocturnal oxygen saturation are sparse.
Objective:
To assess the oxygen saturation profile during sleep in 25 clinically stable children with CF lung disease and to correlate these data with spirometry, cough frequency, sleep quality, and CT-scan scores.
Method:
During two nights cough was recorded with a digital audio recorder in 25 clinically stable CF patients. In addition oxygen saturation was measured. The day following the recording spirometry was carried out. CT scores were obtained from the most recent routine CT scan.
Results:
Twenty-two patients were included in the study. Mean age (range) was 13 (6-18) years. Spirometry was FVC% 84 (range 52-114), FEV(1) % 77 (range 43-115), and FEF(75) % 50 (range 12-112). The mean SO(2) was 95.6% for the first and 96.2% for the second night. Mean SO(2) between the two nights correlated strongly (r(s) = 0.84, P < 0.001). Positive correlation was observed between mean SO(2) of the two nights (mean × SO(2)) and FVC, FEV(1) and FEF(75). Correlations were found between mean × SO(2) and the total CT score (r(s) = -0.45, P = 0.05) and the bronchiectasis subscore (r(s) = -0.48, P = 0.03).
Conclusion:
Nocturnal oxygen saturation in children with stable CF is lower than that in healthy children, and is correlated with lung function parameters and CT scores. Monitoring oxygen saturation during one night is sufficient to get a representative recording.
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