Respiratory function and sleep in children with myotonic dystrophy type 1

Abstract

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a rare neuromuscular disease in children causing sleep and respiratory disorders that are poorly described in the literature compared to adult forms. This retrospective observational study was performed at the Armand Trousseau University Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP), Paris, France. We retrospectively collected data from lung function tests, nocturnal gas exchange recordings, and polysomnography of 24 children with DM1. 39% of the children with DM1 reported respiratory symptoms indicative of sleep disordered breathing. Three patients (12%) presented with a restrictive respiratory pattern, 10 (42%) with a sleep apnoea syndrome, mainly of obstructive origin (2/10 with severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome), and 11 (45%) with nocturnal alveolar hypoventilation. Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) was indicated in 9 (37.5%) children, although tolerance was poor. No significant deterioration in respiratory function or nocturnal gas exchange was observed during the NIV-free period. This study provides new and useful insights into DM1 disease evolution in children to better adapt for respiratory follow-up and management. This highlights the need for future research to better understand the origin of respiratory and sleep disorders in patients with DM1.

Keywords: Children; Evolution; Myotonic dystrophy type 1; Respiratory function; Sleep.