Sleep manifestations, sleep architecture in children with Eosinophilic esophagitis presenting to a sleep clinic

To describe sleep manifestations, polysomnographic (PSG) findings, and specific sleep disorders in children with Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE).

This retrospective study included children with EoE who were referred to sleep clinics. Clinical manifestations, PSG variables, and diagnosis of sleep disorders were analyzed. Sleep architecture of patients with EoE was compared to control subjects.

In sum, 81 children with EoE met the criteria for entry into the analysis with a mean age of 10.1 ± 4.4 years. Of those, 46 children (57%) presented in the sleep clinic with active EoE symptoms, while 35 (43%) children did not have active EoE symptoms at presentation. Several sleep complaints were common in children with EoE, including snoring (62, 76.5%), restless sleep (54, 66.6%), legs jerking or leg discomfort (35, 43.2%) and daytime sleepiness (47, 58.0%). Comparing sleep architecture with controls, children with EoE had significantly higher NREM2 (P= < 0.001), lower NREM3 (P= < 0.001), lower rapid eye movement (REM) (P = 0.017), increased periodic leg movements (PLM) index (P= < 0.001) and increased arousal index (P = 0.007). There were no significant differences in the sleep efficiency between the EoE and control subjects. Common sleep diagnoses included obstructive sleep apnea (OSA, 30, 37.0%) and periodic limb movements disorder (PLMD, 20, 24.6%). Of note, we found a much higher percentage of PLMD in active EoE compared to inactive EoE (P = 0.004).

Children with EoE have frequent sleep complaints and several sleep disorders identified from the sleep study, including sleep-disordered breathing and PLMD. Analysis of sleep architecture demonstrates significant sleep fragmentation as evidenced by decreased slow-wave sleep and REM sleep and increased arousal index.