Cranial base length in pediatric populations with sleep disordered breathing: A systematic review

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Sleep Medicine
• Craniofacial Anatomy
• Respiratory Health

Background:

• Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is a significant health concern in children.
• Cranial base length (CBL) is a craniofacial parameter that may influence airway dimensions.
• The relationship between CBL and pediatric SDB requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize existing literature on the association between cranial base length (CBL) and sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in pediatric populations.
• To assess the quality of evidence regarding the CBL-SDB link in children.

Main Methods:

• Literature searches were conducted in Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Science Citation Index.
• The NIH quality assessment tool and GRADE methodology were employed to evaluate study bias and evidence quality.
• Six studies met the inclusion criteria for the review.

Main Results:

• Two studies indicated shorter CBL in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
• One study found shorter CBL in habitual snorers, while another found longer CBL in OSA-affected boys.
• Other studies reported no significant association or correlation between CBL and OSA, with all included studies exhibiting high risk of bias and low to very low quality.

Conclusions:

• Current evidence on the association between cranial base length and pediatric sleep disordered breathing is limited and of low quality.
• The high risk of bias and heterogeneity across studies preclude definitive conclusions.
• Further high-quality research is needed to establish any potential link between CBL and pediatric SDB.