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Published on: December 6, 2016
A Case Report on Obstructive Sleep Apnea in a Pediatric Patient with Achondroplasia
Eljohn C Yee1, Agnes T Remulla1
1Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine and Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila.
Insights
Severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a child with achondroplasia persisted after tonsillectomy. Management of OSA in achondroplasia is crucial for growth and development, despite being overlooked.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Genetics
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Achondroplasia is a common genetic disorder associated with craniofacial abnormalities.
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a frequent comorbidity in children with achondroplasia.
- Facial structure anomalies in achondroplasia can predispose individuals to airway obstruction.
Observation:
- A 22-month-old male with achondroplasia presented with severe OSA (AHI 50.1).
- Physical examination revealed macrocephaly, midface hypoplasia, and enlarged tonsils.
- Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy were performed, but OSA (AHI 15.7) persisted.
Findings:
- Despite surgical intervention, the patient continued to exhibit severe OSA.
- Post-operative polysomnography showed some improvement in REM and N3 sleep stages.
- OSA management in achondroplasia requires ongoing attention due to persistent severity.
Implications:
- OSA in achondroplasia is often overlooked but significantly impacts sleep architecture.
- Effective OSA management is vital for optimizing growth and development in children with achondroplasia.
- Further research and clinical prioritization of OSA in this population are warranted.
Abstract:
A 22-month-old male diagnosed with achondroplasia was referred for difficulty in sleeping and was diagnosed to have severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on polysomnography (PSG) (AHI 50.1). This patient had macrocephaly, midface hypoplasia, flat nasal bridge, relative macroglossia and enlarged palatine and adenoid tonsils. The patient underwent bilateral tonsillectomy with adenoidectomy without complication. Six months post-op, repeat polysomnography revealed a still severe (AHI 15.7) OSA with preferential recovery of REM and N3 sleep. Further outpatient follow-up and management is warranted. OSA despite being common in this subset of patients remains overlooked and not prioritized because of the multitude of coexisting concerns. Management of OSA in children with achondroplasia shows improved sleep structure and is helpful for further growth and development.
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