Obstructive sleep apnoea in craniofacial microsomia: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Medicine
• Otolaryngology
• Sleep Medicine

Background:

• Craniofacial microsomia (CFM) is a congenital condition affecting facial development.
• Children with CFM often experience airway abnormalities, increasing their risk for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the existing literature on the prevalence of OSA in pediatric patients diagnosed with CFM.
• To synthesize current data on OSA diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes in this population.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science).
• Included studies reported on CFM patients, OSA presence, polysomnography findings, and treatment outcomes.
• Data extraction focused on patient numbers, characteristics, OSA prevalence, and management strategies.

Main Results:

• Sixteen articles met the inclusion criteria; four reported OSA prevalence ranging from 7% to 67%.
• Surgical interventions were more frequently documented than conservative treatments for OSA in CFM patients.
• The literature suggests a link between CFM and OSA, but data quality is variable.

Conclusions:

• OSA is a significant concern for children with craniofacial microsomia.
• Current evidence is limited by a lack of prospective studies and objective measurements.
• Further high-quality prospective research is essential to accurately determine OSA prevalence and guide management in CFM patients.