Characterization of craniofacial-based clinical phenotypes in children with suspected obstructive sleep apnea.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: We conducted this study to identify phenotypes of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children based on lifestyle, sleep habits, age, obesity, sex, soft tissue facial features, and specific craniofacial abnormalities. METHODS: Seventy-three children with symptoms of pediatric OSA who underwent overnight observed polysomnography participated in this study. Soft tissue facial features were assessed using a 3-dimensional stereophotogrammetric system. Craniofacial abnormalities were evaluated based on the most common facial features associated with orthodontic treatment needs. Data regarding lifestyle, sleep habits, age, obesity, and sex were also collected. To identify phenotypes of OSA, a sequential analysis was then performed on categories of variables using fuzzy clustering with medoids. RESULTS: Craniofacial abnormalities and soft tissue facial features defined clusters. Three clusters were identified. Cluster 1 comprised a group of younger children (5.9 ± 3.8 years) without obesity, without craniofacial abnormalities, and with smaller soft tissue facial features dimensions. Cluster 2 comprised a group of older children (9.6 ± 3.9 years) without obesity and with larger mandibular dimensions and mildly arched palates (71.4%). Cluster 3 comprised a group of older children (9.2 ± 3.9 years) with obesity and a history of health issues (68.4%), excessive lower facial height (63.2%), and midface deficiency (73.7%). No differences were observed across clusters regarding sleep features. A moderate severity of obstructive and mixed respiratory events was observed in all 3 clusters. CONCLUSIONS: The study results did not identify distinct phenotypes of pediatric OSA based on soft tissue facial features or craniofacial abnormalities alone. Age and body mass index likely modify the effect of soft tissue facial features and craniofacial abnormalities as risk factors for OSA in children. CITATION: Fernandes Fagundes NC, Loliencar P, MacLean JE, Flores-Mir C, Heo G. Characterization of craniofacial-based clinical phenotypes in children with suspected obstructive sleep apnea. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(11):1857-1865.

Use of facial stereophotogrammetry as a screening tool for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea by dental specialists.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To evaluate facial 3-dimensional (3D) stereophotogrammetry's effectiveness as a screening tool for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) when used by dental specialists. METHODS: One hundred forty-four participants aged 2-17 years, including children fully diagnosed with pediatric OSA through nocturnal polysomnography or at high-risk or low-risk of pediatric OSA, participated in this study. 3D stereophotogrammetry, Craniofacial Index, and Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire were obtained from all participants. Ten dental specialists with interest in pediatric sleep breathing disorders classified OSA severity twice, once based only on 3D stereophotogrammetry and then based on 3D stereophotogrammetry, Craniofacial Index, and Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire. Intrarater and interrater reliability and diagnostic accuracy of pediatric OSA classification were calculated. A cluster analysis was performed to identify potential homogeneous pediatric OSA groups based on their craniofacial features classified through the Craniofacial Index . RESULTS: Intrarater and interrater agreement suggested a poor reproducibility when only 3D facial stereophotogrammetry was used and when all tools were assessed simultaneously. Sensitivity and specificity varied among clinicians, indicating a low screening ability for both 3D facial stereophotogrammetry, ranging from 0.36-0.90 and 0.10-0.70 and all tools ranging from 0.53-1.0 and 0.01-0.49, respectively. A high arched palate and reversed or increased overjet contributed to explaining how participating dental clinicians classified pediatric OSA. CONCLUSIONS: 3D stereophotogrammetry-based facial analysis does not seem predictive for pediatric OSA screening, alone or combined with the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire and Craniofacial Index when used by dental specialists interested in sleep-disordered breathing. Some craniofacial traits, more specifically significant sagittal overjet discrepancies and an arched palate, seem to influence participating dental specialists' classification. CITATION: Fernandes Fagundes NC, Carlyle T, Dalci O, et al. Use of facial stereophotogrammetry as a screening tool for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea by dental specialists. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(1):57-66.

Potential impact of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea on mandibular cortical width dimensions.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To analyze differences in mandibular cortical width (MCW) among children diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or at high- or low-risk for OSA. METHODS: A total of 161 children were assessed: 60 children with polysomnographically diagnosed OSA, 56 children presenting symptoms suggestive of high-risk for OSA, and 45 children at low risk for OSA. Children at high- and low-risk for OSA were evaluated through the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire. MCW was calculated using ImageJ software from panoramic radiograph images available from all participants. Differences between MCW measurements in the 3 groups were evaluated using analysis of covariance and Bonferroni post-hoc tests, with age as a covariate. The association between MCW and specific cephalometric variables was assessed through regression analysis. RESULTS: The participants' mean age was 9.6 ± 3.1 years (59% male and 41% female). The mean body mass index z-score was 0.62 ± 1.3. The polysomnographically diagnosed OSA group presented smaller MCW than the group at low-risk for OSA (mean difference = -0.385 mm, P = .001), but no difference with the group at high-risk for OSA (polysomnographically diagnosed OSA vs high-risk OSA: P = .085). In addition, the MCW in the group at high-risk for the OSA was significantly smaller than the group at low-risk for the OSA (mean difference = -0.301 mm, P = .014). The cephalometric variables (Sella-Nasion-A point angle (SNA) and Frankfort - Mandibular Plane angle (FMA)) explained only 8% of the variance in MCW. CONCLUSIONS: Reductions in MCW appear to be present among children with OSA or those at high-risk for OSA, suggesting potential interactions between mandibular bone development and/or homeostasis and pediatric OSA. CITATION: Fernandes Fagundes NC, d'Apuzzo F, Perillo L, et al. Potential impact of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea on mandibular cortical width dimensions. J Clin Sleep Med. 2021;17(8):1627-1634.

Early or delayed palatoplasty in complete unilateral cleft lip and palate patients? A systematic review of the effects on maxillary growth.

The aim of this study was to review the effects of early and late hard palate repair on maxillary growth. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, Cochrane Library CENTRAL databases, OpenGrey, Google Scholar, and Clinical Trials were searched using a PICO strategy, with terms related to unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and timing of repair. Methodological quality evaluation was carried out using the Fowkes and Fulton guidelines, and quality (or certainty) of evidence and strength of recommendations were evaluated using GRADE (grading of recommendations, assessment, development and evaluation). Five retrospective and non-randomized studies were included in the study. Folkes and Fulton assessment showed a high risk of bias in all articles and very low levels of certainty (GRADE). The results showed conflicting findings for comparisons of the effects of timing of repair of hard palate in UCLP. Two studies presented better maxillary growth in a group operated on later (18 months after birth), two presented no differences between the results, and another presented better results in the group operated on earlier than 18 months of age. At this point, it cannot be proven or refuted that postponing hard palate surgery brings benefits for maxillary growth. Studies included in this review did not show similar conclusions. Randomized clinical trials present some ethical issues that make them difficult to perform.