Treatment and persistence/recurrence of sleep-disordered breathing in children with Down syndrome

Abstract

Objective: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is common in children with Down syndrome, but the trajectory and long-term outcomes are not well-described. In a retrospective longitudinal cohort of children with Down syndrome, study objectives were to (1) characterize polysomnography (PSG), treatments received, and persistence/recurrence of SDB and (2) explore predictors of SDB persistence/recurrence.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of children who underwent PSGs between 2004 and 2014. SDB was defined as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)-mixed (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] >5 events/hour), central sleep apnea or hypoventilation. PSGs, interventions, and trajectory of SDB were described. Age, body mass index (BMI) Z-score and AHI at first SDB diagnosis were evaluated as predictors of persistent/recurrent SDB.

Results: Of 506 children, 120 had ≥1 PSG; 54 had subsequent PSGs. Children with ≥2 PSGs were more likely to have higher total AHI (P = .02) and obstructive-mixed AHI (P = .01). Thirty-five of fifty-four (65%) were initially diagnosed with OSA-mixed SDB. After first PSG, 67 of 120 had OSA-mixed SDB, of whom 25 (37.3%) underwent adenotonsillectomy (T&A), 13 (19.4%) received positive airway pressure (PAP). Those who underwent T&A after PSG were significantly younger than those who received PAP (median age 6.2 vs 12.5 years; P = .005). OSA-mixed SDB persisted/recurred in 33 of 54 (73.3%) with ≥2 PSGs. Persistence/recurrence was not associated with age, AHI or BMI Z-score at first SDB.

Conclusion: Children with Down syndrome undergoing T&A for SDB were significantly younger than those treated with PAP. SDB persisted/recurred in three of four and was not predicted by age, SDB severity or BMI Z-score. Longitudinal PSG assessment for persistence/recurrence of SDB is required in this population.

Keywords: adenotonsillectomy; obstructive sleep apnea; pediatric; polysomnography; predictors.