Psychosocial and Service Delivery Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Children With Respiratory Conditions, Their Parents and Their Health Care Providers.

The COVID-19 pandemic imposed widespread impacts on the health and well-being of children with respiratory challenges and their families, as well as on the health care system that supports them. An exploratory qualitative study was undertaken to examine how the pandemic impacted families' and health care providers' daily lives and experiences of care. Four youth, 12 parents and 7 health care providers participated in interviews via telephone or online technology. Content analysis of transcribed interviews revealed participant experiences, including initial responses to the pandemic, adjustment to pandemic shifts, and anticipation of the future. While deleterious physical health impacts were minimal for children with pre-existing respiratory conditions, their mental health was negatively impacted by the pandemic and related health protocols. Families and health care providers experienced strain, yet demonstrated resilience. Pandemic-related shifts profoundly impacted daily life at home, school, and work. Pediatric pandemic planning in clinical care is recommended to better address the needs of children with respiratory conditions and their families as well as pediatric health care providers.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Mental Health Disorders in the Pediatric Population: A Retrospective Population-based Cohort Study.

RATIONALE: Information is limited about the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and mental disorders in children. OBJECTIVES: In children, (1) to evaluate the association between OSA and new mental healthcare encounters; (2) to compare mental healthcare encounters two years post- to pre-OSA treatment initiation. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective longitudinal cohort study using Ontario health administrative data (Canada). Children (0-18 years) who underwent diagnostic polysomnography (PSG) 2009-2016 and met criteria for definition of moderate-severe OSA (PSG-OSA) were propensity score weighted by baseline characteristics and compared to children who underwent a PSG in the same period but did not meet the OSA definition (PSG-No-OSA). Children were followed until March 2021. Weighted cause-specific Cox Proportional Hazards and Modified Poisson regression models were used to compare time from PSG to first mental healthcare encounter and frequency of new mental healthcare encounters per person time, respectively. Among those who underwent adenotonsillectomy (AT) or were prescribed and claimed positive airway pressure therapy (PAP), we used age-adjusted conditional logistic regression models to compare two years post- to pre-treatment odds of mental healthcare encounters. RESULTS: Of 32,791 children analyzed, 7,724 (23.6%) children met criteria for moderate-severe OSA. In PSG-OSA group, 7,080 (91.7%) were treated (AT or PAP). Compared to PSG-No-OSA, the PSG-OSA group had a shorter time from PSG to first mental healthcare encounter (HR: 1.08; 95%CI: 1.05-1.12), but less frequent mental healthcare encounters in follow-up (RR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.87-0.97). OSA treatment (AT or PAP) was associated with lower odds of mental healthcare encounters two years post-treatment initiation compared to two years prior (OR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.65-0.74). CONCLUSION: In this large population-based study of children who underwent PSG for sleep disorder assessment, OSA diagnosis/treatment was associated with an improvement in some mental health indicators, such as fewer new mental healthcare encounters compared to no OSA, and lower odds of mental healthcare encounters compared to pre-OSA treatment.

Quick, Effective Screening Tasks Identify Children With Medical Conditions or Disabilities Needing Physical Literacy Support.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated screening tasks able to identify children with medical conditions or disabilities who may benefit from physical literacy. METHOD: Children completed ≤20 screening tasks during their clinic visit and then the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy (2nd edition) at a separate visit. Total Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy scores <30th percentile were categorized as potentially needing physical literacy support. Receiver operator characteristic curves identified assessment cut points with 80% sensitivity and 40% specificity relative to total physical literacy scores. RESULTS: 223 children (97 girls; 10.1 [2.6] y) participated. Physical activity adequacy, predilection, and physical competence achieved ≥80% sensitivity and ≥40% specificity in both data sets. Adequacy ≤ 6.5 had 86% to 100% sensitivity and 48% to 49% specificity. Daily screen time >4.9 hours combined with Adequacy ≤6.15 had 88% to 10% sensitivity and 53% to 56% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Activity adequacy, alone or with screen time, most effectively identified children likely to benefit from physical literacy support. Adequacy and screen time questionnaires are suitable for clinical use. Similar results regardless of diagnosis suggest physical competence deficits are not primary determinants of active lifestyles. Research to enhance screening specificity is required.

Poor sleep quality and its associated neurocognitive function in children with obesity with or without obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the associations of OSA severity, snoring symptoms, subjective sleep quality, and daytime sleepiness with executive functioning and behaviors in children with obesity. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of children aged 8-18 years with obesity and symptoms suggestive of OSA. All participants underwent an overnight polysomnography and completed a set of questionnaires to assess their sleep-related breathing disordered (SRBD) symptoms [Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (SRBD-PSQ)], sleep quality [Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)], executive function [Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF)], and inattention and hyperactivity symptoms (Conners-3 Parent Short Form). RESULTS: A total of 85 children (62% male, mean age: 13.9 ± 3.0 years) were included in this analysis, of whom 36, 16, and 33 were categorized into the non-OSA (obstructive apnea hypopnea index, OAHI < 1.5/h), mild OSA (OAHI 1.5-5/h), and moderate-severe OSA (OAHI ≥ 5/h) groups, respectively. Of 85 participants, 27 (32%) were classified with poor sleep quality (PSQI composite score ≥ 8). From multiple linear regression analyses, poor sleep quality and sleepiness were both independently associated with higher BRIEF behavioral regulation T-score, metacognition T-score, and global executive composite T-score in the fully adjusted model. In addition, poor sleep quality was also independently associated with higher Conners-3 inattention and executive functioning T-scores, while greater sleepiness was also associated with a higher learning problem T-score. The presence of OSA and snoring were not associated with any cognitive outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Subjective sleep quality and daytime sleepiness, but not OSA severity and snoring symptoms, were independently associated with executive functioning and behavioral problems in children with obesity.

Respiratory Insufficiency in Neuromuscular Disease (RIND): A Delphi Study to Establish Consensus Criteria to Define and Diagnose Hypoventilation in Pediatric Neuromuscular Disease.

Chronic respiratory failure is a common endpoint in the loss of respiratory muscle function in patients with progressive neuromuscular disease (NMD). Identifying the onset of hypoventilation is critical to allow for the timely introduction of ventilator support and effectively manage respiratory failure [1-3]. While there are accepted criteria governing the diagnosis of hypoventilation during polysomnography (PSG) [4], there is concern that criteria are insufficient for identifying hypoventilation in the earlier stages of respiratory insufficiency related to NMD. The purpose of this project was to identify more sensitive criteria for identifying hypoventilation. METHODS: Fifteen pediatric pulmonologists with broad experience in managing patients with NMD, 10 of whom were board certified in and practice sleep medicine, were assembled and performed a review of the pertinent literature and a two-round Delphi process with 6 domains (Table 1). RESULTS: Within the 6 domains there were three pertinent items per domain (Table 2). There was clear agreement on findings on history (morning headaches) and pulmonary function testing (FVC < 50% or awake TcCO2 > 45 mmHg) indicating a high concern for nocturnal hypoventilation. There was close agreement on the definitions for nocturnal hypercapnia and hypoxemia. PSG criteria were identified that indicate a patient is likely in the transitional phase from adequate ventilation to hypoventilation. DISCUSSION: We identified a set of clinical criteria that may allow for more sensitive diagnosis of hypoventilation in NMD and earlier initiation of non-invasive ventilation leading to a reduction in the respiratory morbidity in progressive NMD. These criteria need to be further and more broadly validated prospectively to confirm their utility.

The association between sleep quality and obstructive sleep apnea with health-related quality of life in children with obesity.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and poor sleep quality are highly prevalent in children with obesity, but their individual associations with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) are unknown in this population. The primary objective was to describe the independent association of OSA and sleep quality with HRQOL in children with obesity. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of children with obesity at 2 tertiary care centers. Sleep quality and HRQOL were measured with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory questionnaires, respectively. Multivariable regression models were created to evaluate associations between OSA and sleep quality with HRQOL. RESULTS: There were 98 children (median age 15.0 years, median body mass index z-score 3.8, 44% females). Among the study population, 49/98 (50%) children reported poor sleep quality, 41/98 (42%) children had OSA, and 52/98 (53%) children reported impaired HRQOL. Self-reported poor sleep quality was independently associated with reduced HRQOL, whereas the presence of OSA was not. Children with poor sleep quality had a reduced Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory score by 8.8 compared to children with good sleep quality (95% confidence interval, 2.6-14.9; P = .006), when adjusting for age, sex, body mass index z-score, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, mood/anxiety disorder, and study site. CONCLUSIONS: In the current study of children with obesity, we found that HRQOL was more strongly associated with the self-reported experience of sleep than the presence of OSA. Clinicians should assess and optimize sleep quality as part of the evaluation for OSA in children with obesity. CITATION: Xiao L, Voutsas G, Ryan CM, Katz SL, Narang I. The association between sleep quality and obstructive sleep apnea with health-related quality of life in children with obesity. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(11):1877-1883.

Incidence and Mortality of Children Receiving Home Mechanical Ventilation.

OBJECTIVES: The incidence, as well as the predictors of mortality, for children receiving home mechanical ventilation (HMV) using population-based data in Canada is a current knowledge gap. Our objectives were to describe HMV incidence and mortality rates, and associations of demographic and clinical variables on mortality. METHODS: Using Ontario health and demographic administrative databases, we conducted a retrospective cohort study (April 1, 2003-March 31, 2017) of children aged 0 to 17 years receiving HMV via invasive mechanical ventilation and noninvasive ventilation. We identified children with complex chronic conditions. We used data from Census Canada to calculate incidence rates and Cox proportional hazards modeling to assess for predictors of mortality. RESULTS: We identified 906 children with a mean (SD) crude incidence rate of 2.4 (0.6) per 100 000 for pediatric HMV approvals that increased by 37% over the 14-year study period. Compared with children who were invasively ventilated, we found mortality was associated with noninvasive ventilation (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-2.8). Mortality was highest in children from families in the lowest income quintile (aHR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.5-4.0), those with neurologic impairment complex chronic conditions (aHR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.4-6.4), those aged 11 to 17 years at HMV initiation (aHR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-2.0), and those with higher health care costs in the 1 year before HMV initiation (aHR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.3-1.7). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of children receiving HMV increased substantially over the 14-year period. Demographic variables associated with increased mortality were identified, suggesting areas requiring greater attention for care providers.

Sleep quality, physical activity, screen time, and substance use in children with obesity: associations with obstructive sleep apnea.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and lifestyle habits in children with obesity is largely unknown. This study aimed to determine whether there was an association between lifestyle patterns (sleep quality, physical activity, recreational screen time, and substance use) and OSA presence and severity in children with obesity. METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited children with obesity, aged 8-17 years, who were referred to undergo polysomnography. Children completed questionnaires on sleep quality, physical activity, recreational screen time, and substance use. Children also had a diagnostic polysomnography. The association between questionnaire scores and OSA severity, after adjusting for body mass index z-score, age, and sex, was evaluated using negative binomial multiple regression. Correlations were conducted between sleep quality, physical activity, screen time, substance use, and OSA severity. RESULTS: A total of 100 children were included in the analysis (mean age: 14.3 ± 2.6 years; 44% female; mean body mass index z-score: 2.5 ± 0.4; 65% with OSA). In the adjusted regression analysis, each additional substance-use behavior was associated with a 17% (95% confidence interval: 1%, 36%) increase in OSA severity. Correlations were identified between poorer sleep quality and lower physical activity (r = -.42), poorer sleep quality and more substance-use behaviors (r = .40), and greater physical activity and less substance-use behaviors (r = -.26). CONCLUSIONS: In children with obesity, more substance-use behaviors were independently associated with greater OSA severity. As there are complex, bidirectional relationships between lifestyle behaviors and OSA severity, interventions need to be comprehensive and multifactorial to ensure successful treatment of OSA and its sequelae in children. CITATION: Blinder H, Narang I, Chaput J-P, Katz SL; on behalf of the Canadian Sleep and Circadian Network. Sleep quality, physical activity, screen time, and substance use in children with obesity: associations with obstructive sleep apnea. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(3):511-518.

Evaluating symptoms and polysomnographic findings among male and female children with obesity with and without obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVE: Limited data regarding sex-based differences in the presentation and phenotype of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) exists among children with obesity. The study objectives were to compare reported symptoms and polysomnogram (PSG) findings between children with obesity 1) with and without OSA and 2) males and females with OSA. PATIENTS/METHODS: This cross-sectional study included children with obesity, aged 8-18 years, with a diagnostic PSG between 2015 and 2021, referred for evaluating sleep-related breathing. Patient demographics, anthropometrics, and PSG data were recorded. Symptoms were evaluated using Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire. Pubertal staging was collected using Tanner Stage questionnaire. PSG parameters, symptoms and pubertal stage were compared between sexes with and without OSA. RESULTS: Of 148 children, 61 (41%) had OSA. Within the OSA group, 41/62 (69%) were male (p = 0.002). Males with OSA reported higher Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire scores compared to males without OSA (0.38 ± 0.2 vs 0.23 ± 0.1; p = 0.002). Males with OSA reported more trouble breathing (p = 0.04) and mouth breathing (p = 0.008) compared to females with OSA. Females with OSA showed longer sleep onset latency (45.8 ± 40.6 min vs 22.4 ± 26.7; p = 0.02) and higher supine obstructive-apnea hypopnea index (32.9 ± 31.1 vs 20.4 ± 18.4 events/hour; p = 0.02) compared to males with OSA. A significant interaction was found between male sex and waist-to-height ratio (ß = 15.34, R2 = 0.18, p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Sex differences in symptoms and phenotype of OSA exist among children with obesity. Such information is beneficial for early diagnosis and management to mitigate adverse outcomes and comorbidities.

Mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children with underlying health and disability issues, and their families and health care providers.

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted mental health at a population level. Families of children with health vulnerabilities have been disproportionately affected by pandemic-related policies and service disruptions as they substantially rely on the health and social care system. We elicited the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children with health and disability-related vulnerabilities, their families, and their health care providers (HCPs). Methods: Children with diverse health vulnerabilities (cardiac transplantation, respiratory conditions, sickle cell disease, autism spectrum disorder, mental health issues, and nearing the end of life due to a range of underlying causes), as well as their parents and HCPs, participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis in determining themes related to impact and recommendations for practice improvement. Results: A total of 262 participants (30 children, 76 parents, 156 HCPs) were interviewed. Children described loneliness and isolation; parents described feeling burnt out; and HCPs described strain and a sense of moral distress. Themes reflected mental health impacts on children, families, and HCPs, with insufficient resources to support mental health; organizational and policy influences that shaped service delivery; and recommendations to enhance service delivery. Conclusion: Children with health vulnerabilities, their families and HCPs incurred profound mental health impacts due to pandemic-imposed public health restrictions and care shifts. Recommendations include the development and application of targeted pandemic information and mental health supports. These findings amplify the need for capacity building, including proactive strategies and mitigative planning in the event of a future pandemic.

Characterization of physical literacy in children with chronic medical conditions compared with healthy controls: a cross-sectional study.

To determine the physical literacy, defined as the capability for a physically active lifestyle, of children with medical conditions compared with healthy peers, this multicenter cross-sectional study recruited children with medical conditions from cardiology, neurology (including concussion), rheumatology, mental health, respirology, oncology, hematology, and rehabilitation (including cerebral palsy) clinics. Participants aged 8-12 years (N = 130; mean age: 10.0 ± 1.44 years; 44% female) were randomly matched to 3 healthy peers from a normative database, based on age, gender, and month of testing. Total physical literacy was assessed by the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy, a validated assessment of physical literacy measuring physical competence, daily behaviour, knowledge/understanding, and motivation/confidence. Total physical literacy mean scores (/100) did not differ (t(498) = -0.67; p = 0.44) between participants (61.0 ± 14.2) and matched healthy peers (62.0 ± 10.7). Children with medical conditions had lower mean physical competence scores (/30; -6.5 [-7.44 to -5.51]; p < 0.001) but higher mean motivation/confidence scores (/30; 2.6 [1.67 to 3.63]; p < 0.001). Mean daily behaviour and knowledge/understanding scores did not differ from matches (/30; 1.8 [0.26 to 3.33]; p = 0.02;/10; -0.04 [-0.38 to 0.30]; p = 0.81; respectively). Children with medical conditions are motivated to be physically active but demonstrate impaired movement skills and fitness, suggesting the need for targeted interventions to improve their physical competence. Novelty: Physical literacy in children with diverse chronic medical conditions is similar to healthy peers. Children with medical conditions have lower physical competence than healthy peers, but higher motivation and confidence. Physical competence (motor skill, fitness) interventions, rather than motivation or education, are needed for these youth.

Associations between polysomnography measurements and postoperative adverse respiratory events in children with neuromuscular disease.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To determine if polysomnographic cardiorespiratory outcomes are associated with and could have the potential to predict the presence of postoperative adverse respiratory events in children with neuromuscular disease undergoing any surgical procedure. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary pediatric institution. The study population included individuals with neuromuscular disease admitted for a surgical intervention under general anesthetic who had undergone a polysomnogram within 1 year before surgical intervention. Polysomnographic indices and postoperative adverse respiratory events were collected through chart review. Multivariable logistic regression was used to model postoperative adverse respiratory events, where PSG results were considered primary predictors. RESULTS: Postoperative adverse respiratory events occurred in 25/61 (41%) of individuals and consisted mainly of desaturations requiring intervention 33 (73%), airway obstruction 15 (33%), and atelectasis (22%). Results from the unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models indicated that saturation nadir and bulbar dysfunction individually were independent risk factors for postoperative adverse respiratory events with the highest areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve. A multivariable prediction model using these 2 risk factors provided an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.74 (95% confidence interval, 0.65-0.83). CONCLUSIONS: Knowing that nocturnal oxygen saturation nadir and the presence of bulbar dysfunction are potential predictors of postoperative adverse respiratory events is useful for future counseling of families and surgical planning, in an effort to improve perioperative management and reduce adverse events.

Perceived Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Pediatric Care in Canada: A Roundtable Discussion.

Like other recipients of health care services, pediatric patients and their families/caregivers have been profoundly impacted by health care shifts and broader societal restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. An online roundtable discussion was facilitated with 7 pediatric clinicians and investigators of a current study examining the impacts of COVID-19 on pediatric care at multiple Canadian sites. Discussants represented a range of pediatric specialities: developmental disability, mental health, cardiac transplantation, respiratory medicine, hematology, and palliative care. We offer the transcript of the roundtable in which discussants reflected on clinical and programmatic experiences of the pandemic, including perceived impacts on children receiving care and their families, potential opportunities for improved health care delivery, impacts on health care providers, and recommendations as we move toward easing restrictions and pandemic recovery. Discussants convey a range of considerations that may have varying relevance for pediatric specialities in terms of practice and program planning.

Positional obstructive sleep apnea in an obese pediatric population.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Positional obstructive sleep apnea (POSA) is a phenotype of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) where sleep-related obstructive events occur predominantly in the supine position. Limited knowledge exists regarding the presence of POSA in children with obesity. The study objective was to determine the prevalence of POSA while identifying factors associated with POSA in children with obesity. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of children with obesity, aged 8 to 18 years, with a diagnostic polysomnogram (PSG) between 2012 to 2019, who were referred for the evaluation of sleep-related breathing. POSA was defined as an overall obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (OAHI) ≥5 events/h and a supine OAHI to nonsupine OAHI ratio of ≥2. Patient demographics, anthropometrics, and PSG data were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 112 children with obesity with a diagnostic PSG, 43 (38%) had OSA. Among those with OSA, 25 of 43 (58%) had POSA (mean age: 14.6 ± 2.3 years; mean body mass index: 37.7 ± 7.6 kg/m²; 68% male) and 18 of 43 (42%) had non-POSA (mean age: 13.9 ± 2.8 years; mean body mass index: 37.9 ± 7.2 kg/m²; 78% male). Among those with POSA, 13 of 25 (52%) had mild OSA, 7 of 25 (28%) had moderate OSA, and 5 of 25 (20%) had severe OSA. No significant differences were found in age, sex, and anthropometric measures between POSA and non-POSA groups. Time spent in supine and nonsupine sleep did not differ significantly between groups. CONCLUSIONS: In children with obesity and OSA, POSA occurs frequently. Identifying POSA allows for potential targeted positional therapy for children with obesity.

Consensus-Based Care Recommendations for Pulmonologists Treating Adults with Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a severe, progressive genetic disease that affects approximately 1 in 2,500 individuals globally [Ashizawa et al.: Neurol Clin Pract 2018;8(6):507-20]. In patients with DM1, respiratory muscle weakness frequently evolves, leading to respiratory failure as the main cause of death in this patient population, followed by cardiac complications [de Die-Smulders et al.: Brain 1998;121(Pt 8):1557-63], [Mathieu et al.: Neurology 1999;52(8):1658-62], [Groh et al.: Muscle Nerve 2011;43(5):648-51]. This paper provides a more detailed outline on the diagnostic and management protocols, which can guide pulmonologists who may not have experience with DM1 or who are not part of a neuromuscular multidisciplinary clinic. A group of neuromuscular experts in DM1 including pulmonologists, respiratory physiotherapists and sleep specialists discussed respiratory testing and management at baseline and during follow-up visits, based on their clinical experience with patients with DM1. The details are presented in this report. RECENT FINDINGS: Myotonic recruited 66 international clinicians experienced in the treatment of people living with DM1 to develop and publish consensus-based care recommendations targeting all body systems affected by this disease [Ashizawa et al.: Neurol Clin Pract. 2018;8(6):507-20]. Myotonic then worked with 12 international respiratory therapists, pulmonologists and neurologists with long-standing experience in DM respiratory care to develop consensus-based care recommendations for pulmonologists using a methodology called the Single Text Procedure. This process generated a 7-page document that provides detailed respiratory care recommendations for the management of patients living with DM1. This consensus is completely based on expert opinion and not backed up by empirical evidence due to limited clinical care data available for respiratory care management in DM patients. Nevertheless, we believe it is of relevance for professionals treating adults with myotonic dystrophy because it addresses practical issues related to respiratory management and care, which have been adapted to meet the specific issues in patients with DM1. SUMMARY: The resulting recommendations are intended to improve respiratory care for the most vulnerable of DM1 patients and lower the risk of untoward respiratory complications and mortality by providing pulmonologist who are less experienced with DM1 with practical indications on which tests and when to perform them, adapting the general respiratory knowledge to specific issues related to this multiorgan disease.

Obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension in pediatric chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and hypertension. The objectives of this study were to explore associations between OSA severity using the apnea-hypopnea-index(AHI) and obstructive apnea-hypopnea-index(OAHI) on polysomnography (PSG), OSA symptoms, and measures of hypertension in children with CKD. METHODS: One-night in-laboratory PSGs and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) were performed on children with CKD stages 2-5 (non-dialysis dependent). Sleep questionnaires, including the modified Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ), were administered during the sleep study. RESULTS: Nineteen children and adolescents completed a PSG and questionnaires and thirteen completed ABPMs. Mean (standard deviation) age at the time of the sleep study was 14.1 (3.2) years. Eleven (58%) participants had CKD stage two, and eight (42%) had stage 3-4. None of the participants were found to have OSA on PSG. One participant had a positive ESS score (≥ 11) and five participants had positive PSQ scores (≥  eight). Night systolic and diastolic pressures were strongly correlated with the OAHI (r = 0.67 and r = 0.69, respectively, p < 0.05), while the AHI was not correlated with any blood pressure measures. CONCLUSIONS: Our study did not find OSA on PSG in children with predominantly mild to moderate CKD. The OAHI was found to be strongly correlated with nighttime blood pressures. Future prospective studies with a larger sample size are needed to monitor for potential progression of symptoms and findings on PSG in pediatric patients as they evolve across the spectrum of CKD.

Sensitivity, specificity, and reliability of the Get Active Questionnaire for identifying children with medically necessary special considerations for physical activity.

Physical activity is promoted for optimal health but may carry risks for children who require medically necessary activity restrictions. The sensitivity, specificity, and reliability of the Get Active Questionnaire (GAQ) for identifying children needing special considerations during physical activity was evaluated among parents of 207 children aged 3 to 14 years (97 (47%) female, mean age of 8.4 ± 3.7 years). GAQ responses were compared with reports obtained directly from the treating physician (n = 192/207) and information in the medical chart (clinic notes/physician letter, n = 111/207). Parent GAQ responses (either "No to all questions" or "Yes to 1 or more questions") agreed with physician (κ = 0.16, p = 0.003) and medical record (κ = 0.15, p = 0.003) reports regarding the need for special consideration during physical activity (Yes/No). Sensitivity was 71% (20/28) and specificity was 59% (96/164), with few false-negative responses. The GAQ was most effective for rheumatology and cardiology patients. False positives were 29% to 46%, except among chronic pain (80%) and rehabilitation (75%) patients. Test-retest reliability was moderate (Cronbach's α = 0.70) among 57 parents who repeated the GAQ 1 week later. The GAQ effectively identified children not requiring physical activity restrictions and those with medical conditions similar to those of concern among adults. Additional questions from a qualified exercise professional, as recommended for a "Yes" response on the GAQ, should reduce the false-positive burden. Indicating the timeframe of reference for each question and including an option to describe other special considerations (e.g., medication, supervision) are recommended.