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Anthropometry: A clue for Otorhinolaryngology surgical indications in children
Francisco Alves de Sousa1, Afonso Domingos Castro1, André Sousa Machado1
1Centro Hospitalar Universitário Do Porto, Largo Do Prof. Abel Salazar, 4099-001, Porto, Portugal.
Insights
Maternal and neonatal factors, particularly birth weight, are linked to childhood atopy and infections requiring surgery. Obstructive sleep apnea showed no consistent link with perinatal factors but impacted childhood weight.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Neonatal Medicine
- Allergy and Immunology
Background:
- Maternal and neonatal factors are associated with childhood diseases like atopy, recurrent infections, and obstructive sleep disturbances.
- These conditions often necessitate surgical intervention in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between maternal and neonatal factors and indications for Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) surgery in children.
- To analyze associations with atopy, recurrent infections, and obstructive sleep apnea.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 1256 children undergoing primary ENT surgery (March 2016-March 2020).
- Exclusion of children with orofacial congenital anomalies.
- Analysis of maternal/neonatal factors and their correlation with atopy, recurrent infections, and obstructive sleep apnea.
Main Results:
- Atopic children had higher birth weight percentiles and weight-for-length indices. Maternal atopy increased the risk of childhood atopy.
- Children undergoing surgery for recurrent infections had lower birth weight-for-length indices and were less likely to be atopic.
- Recurrent acute otitis media was linked to lower birth weight-for-length index and birth BMI. Obstructive sleep apnea was not significantly associated with prematurity but correlated with lower weight at surgery.
Conclusions:
- Birth anthropometric measurements are associated with later atopic and infectious diseases, independent of gestational age.
- No consistent association was found between perinatal parameters and obstructive sleep apnea.
- Disordered breathing in childhood significantly impacted anthropometry.
Background:
There are reports in literature concerning the relation between some maternal and neonatal factors and future risk of disease, including atopy, recurrent infections and obstructive sleep disturbances, three common pathologies eliciting surgery in children.
Objective:
To evaluate if maternal and neonatal factors can relate to Otorhinolaryngology surgical indications in a cohort of children treated in a tertiary referral center.
Material And Methods:
A retrospective analysis of data from children submitted to primary Otorhinolaryngology surgery in the pediatric ambulatory unit of Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto between March 2016 and March 2020 was performed. Children with orofacial congenital anomalies were excluded and 1256 children met the eligibility criteria. The associations between maternal and neonatal factors and the development of atopy, recurrent infections and obstructive sleep apnea were analyzed.
Results:
Atopic children showed higher birth weight percentile (p < 0,001) and birth weight-for-length index (p < 0,001) compared with non-atopic. Weight-at-surgery was also higher in atopic patients (p = 0,002). Maternal atopy significantly increased the risk of children atopic disease (p < 0,001; Odds Ratio 4,359). Children indicated for surgery for recurrent infections showed lower birth weight-for-length index (p = 0,038) and lower probability of atopic disease (p < 0,001). Recurrent acute otitis media related to both lower birth weight-for-length index (p = 0,002) and birth body mass index (p = 0,023). There was not a significant higher incidence of sleep apnea in preterm infants (p = 0,488). Obstructive sleep apnea patients showed lower weight-at-surgery percentile (p = 0,045).
Conclusion:
This work suggests an association between birth anthropometric measurements and atopic and infectious diseases later in life, irrespective of gestational age. There was no consistent association between perinatal parameters and obstructive sleep apnea, but the impact of disordered breathing in childhood anthropometry was significative.
