Sleep Symptoms and Polysomnographic Patterns of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Obese Children

Azita Tavasoli1, Shabnam Jalilolghadr2, Shiva Lotfi3

  • 1Pediatric Neurology Department, Ali-Asghar Children's Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Insights

Obstructive sleep apnea is common in overweight and obese children, presenting with various sleep symptoms. Polysomnography is crucial for diagnosis, though obesity severity did not correlate with apnea severity.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Obesity Research

Background:

  • Obesity is a growing concern in children, associated with numerous health issues.
  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious condition that can affect children's health and development.
  • The relationship between obesity and OSA in pediatric populations requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of sleep symptoms and polysomnographic findings of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in overweight and obese children.
  • To identify common sleep disturbances associated with OSA in this demographic.
  • To evaluate the utility of polysomnography in diagnosing OSA in overweight and obese children.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 30 overweight and obese children (ages 6-18) referred to an Endocrinology Clinic was studied.
  • Polysomnography was performed for OSA diagnosis.
  • The BEARS and Children's Sleep Habits questionnaires were utilized to assess sleep behaviors.

Main Results:

  • 90% of participants exhibited respiratory disturbances on polysomnography.
  • Common symptoms included snoring (60%), frequent awakenings (56.6%), and nocturnal sweating (50%).
  • A significant correlation was observed between body mass index (BMI) and sleep latency, but not between BMI and OSA severity.

Conclusions:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea is highly prevalent in overweight and obese children.
  • Physicians should recognize OSA symptoms and utilize polysomnography for diagnosis.
  • The degree of obesity did not correlate with the severity of obstructive sleep apnea in this cohort.
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...
750
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...
363
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...
1.5K
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion01:20

Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion

Drug metabolism, a critical process in the liver, involves two primary phases: Phase I reactions and Phase II conjugation. Obesity introduces significant alterations in this metabolic process, primarily due to fatty infiltration of the liver, leading to conditions such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This condition can modify the activities of both Phase I and II enzymes, impacting how drugs are metabolized in obese patients.Phase I metabolism sees variable effects across...
274
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...
334
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...
2.4K