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Effects of rapid maxillary expansion on sleep disturbance scale for children: A longitudinal CASE-series study

Vitória de Oliveira Chami1, Jéssica Gabriele da Rocha2, Jessica Klockner Knorst1

  • 1Post-Graduate Program in Dental Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.

Orthodontics & Craniofacial Research
|June 7, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) significantly improved sleep disturbances in children with maxillary atresia. This treatment reduced overall Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) scores and specific sleep issues over time.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Orthodontics
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Maxillary atresia, a common condition in children, can lead to significant sleep disturbances.
  • Sleep disorders in children are associated with various health and developmental issues.
  • Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) is an orthodontic treatment aimed at widening the palate.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of RME on sleep quality in pediatric patients diagnosed with maxillary atresia.
  • To assess changes in sleep disturbance scores using the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) following RME.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 27 pediatric patients with maxillary atresia underwent RME using a Hyrax expander.
  • The Brazilian version of the SDSC was administered to guardians at five time points: pre-treatment, post-expansion, and at 3, 6, and 9 months post-treatment.
  • Multilevel Poisson regression analysis was employed to evaluate changes in SDSC scores over time.

Main Results:

  • Total SDSC scores demonstrated a statistically significant decrease from 3 months after expansion stabilization (T2) onwards.
  • A 24% reduction in total SDSC scores was observed at 9 months post-retention (T4) compared to the immediate post-expansion phase (T1).
  • Significant improvements were noted in specific domains, including sleep breathing disorders, sleep-wake transition disorders, and disorders of excessive somnolence.

Conclusions:

  • RME is an effective treatment for reducing overall sleep disturbances in children with maxillary atresia.
  • The positive effects of RME on sleep quality are sustained for at least 9 months post-treatment.
  • RME specifically targets and improves sleep breathing, transition, and somnolence disorders in this pediatric population.
Abstract

Keywords:
childrapid maxillary expansionsleep disorders

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