Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 24, 2025

Author Spotlight: Traditional Chinese Medicine for Sleep Disorders in Acute COPD — A Safe, Cost-Effective Approach
04:53

Author Spotlight: Traditional Chinese Medicine for Sleep Disorders in Acute COPD — A Safe, Cost-Effective Approach

Published on: October 18, 2024

831

Low incidence of pulmonary hypertension in children with suspected obstructive sleep apnea: A prospective

Khadar A Omer1, Raphael Mlauzi2, Wisdom Basera3

  • 1Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa.

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|July 7, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is uncommon in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Echocardiography screening for PH in children with OSA symptoms but no comorbidities is not recommended.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can lead to pulmonary hypertension (PH), a serious perioperative risk in children undergoing adenotonsillar surgery.
  • Pre-operative echocardiography is often used to screen for PH in children with suspected severe OSA.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the incidence of PH in children with suspected OSA.
  • To explore the association between PH and OSA severity.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of 170 children (aged 1-13 years) with suspected OSA undergoing overnight oximetry (OO) and echocardiography.
  • OSA severity classified by McGill Oximetry Score (MOS): mild-moderate (MOS 1-2) and severe (MOS 3-4).
  • PH defined as mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) ≥20 mmHg; children with comorbidities were excluded.

Main Results:

  • Eight out of 160 children (5%) had PH (mPAP 20.8 mmHg).
  • No significant difference in mPAP or echocardiographic indices was found between mild-moderate and severe OSA groups.
  • No clinical or OSA severity differences were observed between children with and without PH.

Conclusions:

  • PH is uncommon in children with uncomplicated OSA.
  • There is no association between PH and OSA severity as measured by OO.
  • Routine echocardiographic screening for PH in children with OSA symptoms and no comorbidities is unwarranted.
Abstract

Keywords:
ChildrenObstructive sleep apneaOximetryPulmonary hypertension

More Related Videos

Increasing Pulmonary Artery Pulsatile Flow Improves Hypoxic Pulmonary Hypertension in Piglets08:08

Increasing Pulmonary Artery Pulsatile Flow Improves Hypoxic Pulmonary Hypertension in Piglets

Published on: May 11, 2015

14.2K
Author Spotlight: Utilizing Traditional Chinese Acupuncture of the Ear to Improve Sleep Disorders05:34

Author Spotlight: Utilizing Traditional Chinese Acupuncture of the Ear to Improve Sleep Disorders

Published on: August 18, 2023

2.3K

Related Concept Videos

Pulmonary Hypertension: Classification and Pathogenesis01:30

Pulmonary Hypertension: Classification and Pathogenesis

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a severe health condition in which the mean pulmonary arterial pressure increases to 25 mmHg or more, even when the body is at rest. This high pressure in the blood vessels that transport blood from the heart to the lungs can cause various symptoms, including shortness of breath, can lead to right heart failure, and significantly affect the overall quality of life.
There are various classifications for PH, each relating to different underlying causes and also...
231
Sleep Apnea01:21

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops intermittently during sleep, often leading to significant health issues. Each episode can last from 10 to 20 seconds or more and is frequently accompanied by a brief arousal from sleep. This disturbance, largely unnoticed by the individual, can lead to severe daytime fatigue. Commonly, individuals seek help after being informed by their partners about loud snoring and noticeable breathing pauses during sleep.
The condition is more prevalent among...
195
Other Pulmonary Disorders01:17

Other Pulmonary Disorders

Respiratory disorders encompass a range of conditions with varying levels of severity. Asthma, marked by chronic airway inflammation and hypersensitivity, is one such condition. It can lead to airway obstruction due to factors like bronchial spasms, mucosal edema, increased mucus secretion, or epithelial damage. Asthma triggers are diverse, ranging from allergens to emotional upset, and treatment focuses on both immediate relief through bronchodilators and long-term inflammation suppression.
875
Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction01:29

Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction

Pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a thrombus, fat or air embolus, amniotic fluid, or tumor tissue blocks one or more pulmonary arteries. These blockages originate in the venous system or the right side of the heart.EtiologyPE primarily arises from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and other hypercoagulable states, such as inherited thrombophilias. Additional etiological factors include venous stasis, commonly seen in obesity, and endothelial injury from surgery and trauma. Less common causes include...
9
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Oxygen Therapy for Respiratory Failure01:16

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Oxygen Therapy for Respiratory Failure

Oxygen therapy has emerged as a significant tool in enhancing the quality of life for patients suffering from pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). While this therapy has principally been studied on patients with significant hypoxemia, this therapeutic approach helps prevent potential organ damage and can be administered in the comfort of one's home.
Oxygen therapy is vital in increasing and maintaining blood oxygen levels in PAH patients. As a result, it aids in reducing fatigue,...
268
Respiratory System Abnormal Finding I: Inspection and Percussion01:30

Respiratory System Abnormal Finding I: Inspection and Percussion

Respiratory system abnormalities are a significant concern in healthcare due to their potential to indicate underlying severe conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma, and pneumonia. These abnormalities can often be detected through physical examination methods like inspection and percussion.
Inspection Findings
During an inspection, several findings may suggest the presence of respiratory distress or disease. Pursed-lip breathing, where exhalation is slowed by...
313