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Reduced exercise capacity in Greek children with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Labrini Damianidou1, Maria Eboriadou, Andreas Giannopoulos

  • 12nd Pediatric Department, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Pediatric Pulmonology
|November 30, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) exhibit reduced exercise capacity. This study found lower peak oxygen uptake and heart rate in pediatric OSAS patients compared to controls, even in mild cases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Exercise Physiology

Background:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is increasingly diagnosed in children.
  • Impaired exercise capacity is known in adult OSAS patients, but pediatric data is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess cardiopulmonary exercise response in children with OSAS.
  • To correlate exercise capacity with OSAS severity.

Main Methods:

  • 27 children with habitual snoring (OSAS group) and 13 healthy controls underwent polysomnography.
  • Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) was performed on a cycle ergometer for all participants.
  • OSAS severity was categorized based on the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI).

Main Results:

  • Children with OSAS showed significantly lower maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) compared to controls.
  • OSAS patients exhibited lower VO2max percentage, reduced peak heart rate, and higher peak systolic blood pressure.
  • These differences were observed even in children with mild OSAS.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric OSAS is associated with reduced exercise capacity.
  • Even mild OSAS negatively impacts cardiopulmonary response to exercise in children.
  • Findings highlight the importance of addressing OSAS for improving physical fitness in children.
Abstract

Keywords:
aerobic capacitychildrenexercisemaximal oxygen consumptionsnoring

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