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Catathrenia and Treatment With Positive Airway Pressure in the Pediatric Population
Lacie Petitto1, Gulnur Com2, Rithea Jackson1
1Arkansas Children's Sleep Disorders Center, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Insights
Catathrenia, a sleep disorder causing groaning during sleep, may be treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). This treatment should be considered if the condition causes sleep disruption and daytime symptoms in children.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Catathrenia, or sleep-related groaning, is a rare disorder with unknown organic causes.
- Limited research exists on catathrenia treatment, especially in pediatric populations.
Observation:
- This study presents three male pediatric cases of catathrenia.
- Clinical symptoms, polysomnogram findings, and treatment responses were analyzed.
Findings:
- Catathrenia can be linked to abnormal nocturnal oxygenation and ventilation.
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) was an effective treatment for the pediatric cases.
Implications:
- CPAP may be a viable treatment for pediatric catathrenia when associated with sleep disruption.
- Further research is needed to establish optimal treatment protocols for this condition.
Abstract:
Catathrenia, also known as sleep-related groaning, is a relatively rare sleep disorder with characteristics consistent with loud groaning on expiration during sleep. Organic causes of catathrenia are unknown and the decision of whether or not to treat is unclear. Limited research is available concerning appropriate treatment and none of the literature focuses primarily on pediatrics. We report a series of three, male pediatric cases with catathrenia that were treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) while identifying and comparing clinical symptoms, polysomnogram findings, treatment, and patient response to treatment. Catathrenia may be associated with abnormal nocturnal oxygenation and ventilation and may lead to negative clinical daytime symptoms which may warrant treatment. If catathrenia leads to sleep disruption and negative daytime symptoms, treatment with CPAP should be considered.
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