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Inflammation in children with neuromuscular disorders and sleep disordered breathing

Federica Trucco1, Emma Carruthers2, Jane C Davies3

  • 1Department of Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK; Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology Genetics and Mother and Infant Science, University of Genova, Italy.

Sleep Medicine
|July 3, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Sleep disordered breathing in children with neuromuscular weakness is linked to increased airway and systemic inflammation markers. This association may increase their risk for future cardiovascular issues and other health complications.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Neuromuscular Disorders
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is linked to systemic inflammation and comorbidities.
  • Neuromuscular weakness can cause sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in children.
  • The relationship between SDB from neuromuscular weakness and pro-inflammatory cytokines is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess if SDB due to neuromuscular weakness is associated with elevated airway and systemic pro-inflammatory cytokines in children.
  • To investigate the correlation between SDB severity metrics and specific cytokine levels.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 23 children (age 5-18 years) with neuromuscular conditions underwent polysomnography.
  • Serum and breath condensate were collected and analyzed for cytokines including IL-6, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1.
  • Cytokine levels were correlated with the Oxygen Desaturation Index (ODI) and transcutaneous carbon dioxide (tcCO2) levels.

Main Results:

  • SDB in this cohort was associated with higher levels of serum Interleukin-6 (IL-6).
  • Elevated overnight tcCO2 correlated significantly with increased Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (VCAM-1).
  • Higher ODI was associated with increased breath and serum IL-6 levels.

Conclusions:

  • SDB in children with neuromuscular weakness is associated with elevated systemic inflammatory markers like IL-6, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1.
  • These inflammatory changes may contribute to an increased risk of cardiovascular and other comorbidities in affected children.
  • Further research is warranted to explore therapeutic strategies targeting SDB and inflammation in this population.
Abstract

Keywords:
CytokinesHypoventilationICAM-1IL-6Neuromuscular disordersVCAM-1

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