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Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Underweight Children

Courtney Johnson1, Taylor Leavitt1, Shiva P Daram2

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.

Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery : Official Journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
|November 16, 2021
PubMed

Insights

In underweight children, allergic rhinitis and tonsillar hypertrophy predict obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Height was also a factor, but no predictors for severe OSA were found in this study.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a significant health concern in children.
  • Underweight status in children presents unique challenges for OSA diagnosis and management.
  • Identifying predictors of OSA in this population is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify predictors of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in underweight children.
  • To describe the characteristics of underweight children with OSA.
  • To inform diagnostic and treatment strategies for OSA in this specific pediatric group.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study was conducted involving underweight children aged 2-18 years who underwent polysomnography.
  • Underweight was defined as a body mass index below the 5th percentile.
  • Logistic regression analysis was employed to determine predictors of OSA, with an apnea-hypopnea index of 1.0 serving as the threshold.

Main Results:

  • Allergic rhinitis (OR, 2.97) and tonsillar hypertrophy (OR, 3.38) were identified as significant predictors of OSA in underweight children.
  • Height was negatively correlated with OSA (OR, 0.94), indicating shorter children were more likely to have OSA.
  • No demographic or clinical characteristics predicted severe OSA in this cohort.

Conclusions:

  • Underweight children with OSA are more likely to present with decreased height, tonsillar hypertrophy, and allergic rhinitis.
  • Polysomnography is recommended for symptomatic underweight children with large tonsils and a history of allergies.
  • Further research may be needed to understand the nuances of severe OSA in this population.
Abstract

Keywords:
allergic rhinitisobstructive sleep apneapolysomnogramtonsillar hypertrophyunderweight children

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