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. 2022 Feb;181(2):735-743.
doi: 10.1007/s00431-021-04267-w. Epub 2021 Sep 25.

Obstructive sleep apnea in children with Down syndrome: is it possible to predict severe apnea?

Mina Hizal  1 , Ozlem Satırer  2 , Sanem Eryilmaz Polat  3 , Dilber Ademhan Tural  3 , Beste Ozsezen  3 , Birce Sunman  3 , Sevilay Karahan  4 , Nagehan Emiralioglu  3 , Pelin Ozlem Simsek-Kiper  5 , Gulen Eda Utine  5 , Koray Boduroglu  5 , Ebru Yalcin  3 , Deniz Dogru  3 , Nural Kiper  3 , Ugur Ozcelik  3
Affiliations

Obstructive sleep apnea in children with Down syndrome: is it possible to predict severe apnea?

Mina Hizal et al. Eur J Pediatr. 2022 Feb.

Abstract

The objectives are to explore the demographic and polysomnographic features of children with Down syndrome and to determine the predictive factors associated with severe sleep apnea. A total of 81 children with Down syndrome referred for full-night polysomnography were analyzed. In addition, parental interviews were performed for each child. Data were available for 81 children, with a mean age of 4.8 years. Severe obstructive sleep apnea was determined in 53.1%. Age, sex, exposure to second-hand smoke, clinical findings, anthropometric features, and the presence of comorbidities were not predictors of severe obstructive sleep apnea. Children who were exposed to second-hand smoke had more sleep-related symptoms. Even in children without symptoms, the prevalence of severe obstructive sleep apnea was 40%. Moreover, 86% of parents had no previous information regarding possible sleep breathing disorders in their children. Clinically significant central apnea was present in 10 patients (12.3%).Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that severe obstructive sleep apnea is common in children with Down syndrome, even in children without a history of symptoms of sleep apnea. It is not possible to predict patients with severe apnea; thus, screening of children with Down syndrome beginning from young ages is very important. Central apneas could be a part of the spectrum of sleep abnormalities in Down syndrome.

Keywords: Central sleep apnea; Down syndrome; Obstructive sleep apnea; Polysomnography; Sleep-disordered breathing.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no competing interests.

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