Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 9, 2025

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
07:54

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Published on: December 6, 2016

19.7K

Vitamin D Deficiency and Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea Severity

Andrew E Bluher1,2, Timothy Kearney3, Turaj Vazifedan4

  • 1Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Nemours Children's Hospital, Wilmington, Delaware.

JAMA Otolaryngology-- Head & Neck Surgery
|October 31, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin D deficiency is common in children with severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and is linked to worse OSA severity. Further research is needed on vitamin D supplementation for pediatric OSA.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Otolaryngology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Emerging evidence suggests a link between vitamin D deficiency and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults.
  • The association between vitamin D levels and pediatric OSA is less understood.
  • Vitamin D deficiency is a potential factor influencing OSA severity in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between serum vitamin D levels and the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children.
  • To evaluate the correlation between vitamin D deficiency and the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) in pediatric OSA patients.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 72 children (aged 2-16 years) with severe OSA (AHI ≥20) undergoing adenotonsillectomy.
  • Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels were measured; deficiency defined as <20 ng/mL.
  • Statistical analyses, including univariate and multivariable models, assessed the association between vitamin D levels and AHI, controlling for age, sex, race, BMI, asthma, and season.

Main Results:

  • Vitamin D deficiency was prevalent in 37.5% of the participants.
  • Vitamin D deficiency was associated with younger age, Black race, female sex, and higher AHI in univariate analysis.
  • Multivariable analysis confirmed a significant association between lower vitamin D levels and increased AHI (0.7 increase in AHI per 1.0 unit decrease in 25[OH]D).

Conclusions:

  • Vitamin D deficiency is common in children with severe OSA and significantly associated with increased OSA severity.
  • These findings highlight the importance of assessing vitamin D status in pediatric OSA.
  • Further research into vitamin D supplementation as an adjunct therapy for pediatric OSA is warranted.
Abstract

More Related Videos

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

2.1K
Author Spotlight: Traditional Chinese Medicine for Sleep Disorders in Acute COPD &#8212; A Safe, Cost-Effective Approach04:53

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

Published on: October 18, 2024

706

Related Concept Videos

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...
130
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep01:24

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
160
Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation01:13

Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation

Insufficient sleep refers to not getting the recommended amount of sleep for optimal functioning, even if it's just slightly less than needed. Sleep insufficiency may occur due to lifestyle choices, such as staying up late for social events or work, resulting in routinely getting less sleep than required. For example, consistently sleeping 6 hours when the body needs 7-9 hours can lead to cumulative effects on health and well-being.
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
134
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies01:27

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies

Assessing and diagnosing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) involves a detailed approach that includes a comprehensive review of medical history, physical examination, and a variety of diagnostic tests. This thorough evaluation is essential to ensure an accurate diagnosis and guide effective management strategies.
Medical History
2.5K
Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles01:30

Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles

A thorough assessment of respiratory health is paramount in clinical settings to identify and manage respiratory distress and ensure adequate oxygenation. This article elaborates on the critical aspects of respiratory evaluation, including airway assessment, skin color examination, and the observation of accessory muscle use, which are integral to effectively diagnosing and managing patients with respiratory conditions.
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
975
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...
152