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Tonsil Size and Mallampati Score as Clinical Predictive Factors for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Severity in Children

Maen Zreaqat1, Rozita Hassan2, A R Samsudin3

  • 1Orthodontic Department, School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu, Malaysia.

The Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice
|October 7, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Body mass index (BMI), tonsil size, and Mallampati score can indicate pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Only the Mallampati score predicts OSA severity, making it a valuable clinical screening tool.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Otolaryngology
  • Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

  • Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a growing concern.
  • Accurate diagnosis of pediatric OSA is crucial for timely intervention.
  • Predictive clinical indicators can aid in screening and diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the clinical utility of BMI, tonsil size, and Mallampati scoring in predicting pediatric OSA presence and severity.
  • To assess the correlation between these clinical indicators and OSA severity.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cross-sectional study of 78 children with polysomnography (PSG)-proven OSA and 86 controls (age 11-14).
  • Measurements included BMI, tonsil size (Friedman scale), and Mallampati score.
  • Statistical analysis involved t-tests and regression analysis.

Main Results:

  • Male gender, BMI, tonsil size, and Mallampati score were significantly higher in children with OSA (p < 0.05).
  • Mallampati score significantly correlated with OSA severity (p < 0.01).
  • Each 1-point increase in Mallampati score correlated with a 3-5 event/hour increase in apnea-hypopnea index (AHI).

Conclusions:

  • Male gender, elevated BMI, large tonsils, and high Mallampati scores are indicators for pediatric OSA presence.
  • The Mallampati score is the only significant predictor of OSA severity among the assessed indicators.
  • Clinical indicators like the Mallampati score are valuable for screening children at risk for OSA, especially in community settings where PSG is less accessible.
Abstract

Keywords:
Mallampati scoreObstructive sleep apnea Tonsil size.

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