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Erythropoietin levels in children with obstructive sleep apnea

Nick D Kalogritsas1, Vasileios A Lachanas1, Panagiotis Liakos2

  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital of Larissa, Greece.

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|October 7, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Serum erythropoietin (EPO) levels are elevated in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). These findings suggest EPO may serve as a potential biomarker for diagnosing pediatric OSA.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Biomarker Discovery

Background:

  • High serum erythropoietin (EPO) levels are documented in adult obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
  • Limited research exists on EPO levels in pediatric OSA.
  • Investigating EPO as a pediatric OSA biomarker is warranted.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the relationship between serum EPO levels and pediatric OSA.
  • To assess the potential of EPO as a diagnostic biomarker in children with OSA.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study involving children aged 4-12 years undergoing polysomnography (PSG).
  • Recruited 115 children: 86 with OSA (mild, moderate, severe) and 29 without OSA (AHI≤1).
  • Compared morning serum EPO levels between OSA and non-OSA groups.

Main Results:

  • Children with OSA exhibited significantly higher mean serum EPO levels (8.33 ± 4.10 mIU/ml) compared to the non-OSA group (5.46 ± 2.29 mIU/ml).
  • Serum EPO levels demonstrated a significant positive correlation with the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

  • Serum EPO levels are significantly elevated in children with OSA compared to controls.
  • EPO shows promise as a potential biomarker for pediatric OSA.
  • Further research is recommended due to the novelty of this finding.
Abstract

Keywords:
ErythropoietinOSAPediatric obstructive sleep apneaPolysomnography

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