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Influence of obesity on nocturnal oxygen saturation in young children

Marjolein J Korndewal1, Willem M H Geurts van Kessel, Lia G Jak

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Gelre Hospitals, Postbus 9014, 7300 DS Apeldoorn, The Netherlands. m.korndewal@gmail.com

European Journal of Pediatrics
|August 10, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Higher body weight in young children is linked to reduced nocturnal oxygen saturation. This study highlights potential respiratory impacts of childhood obesity, even in toddlers.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Obesity rates are rising globally, impacting health across all age groups.
  • While obesity's link to reduced respiratory function is known in older individuals, data for young children is limited.
  • Potential consequences include sleep disturbances and cognitive issues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between body weight and nocturnal respiratory function in children aged 1 to 3 years.
  • To assess if higher Body Mass Index (BMI) correlates with decreased overnight oxygen saturation.

Main Methods:

  • Nocturnal pulse oximetry was conducted in the home environment for 51 children (1-3 years old).
  • Children with tonsillar hypertrophy were excluded from the analysis.
  • The percentage of time with oxygen saturation (SpO2) below 95% was measured and correlated with BMI-for-age z-scores, controlling for gender and parental smoking.

Main Results:

  • A positive association was found between BMI-for-age z-score and the natural logarithm of the percentage of time with SpO2 <95% (β = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.00-0.39).
  • 18 children had a BMI-for-age above +2 standard deviations.

Conclusions:

  • Increased body weight in young children is associated with diminished nocturnal oxygen saturation.
  • This suggests potential respiratory compromises in toddlers with higher body weight.
Abstract

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