Changes in the nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal microbiota in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea before and after surgery: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the changes and potential mechanisms of microbiome in different parts of the upper airway in the development of pediatric OSA and observe the impact of surgical intervention on oral microbiome for pediatric OSA. METHODS: Before adeno-tonsillectomy, we collected throat swab samples from different parts of the oropharynx and nasopharynx of 30 OSA patients and 10 non-OSA patients and collected throat swab samples from the oropharynx of the above patients one month after the adeno-tonsillectomy. The 16 S rRNA V3-V4 region was sequenced to identify the microbial communities. The correlation analysis was conducted based on clinical characteristics. RESULTS: There was a significant difference of alpha diversity in different parts of the upper airway of pediatric OSA, but this difference was not found in children with non-OSA. Beta diversity was significantly different between non-OSA and pediatric OSA. At the genus level, the composition of flora in different parts is different between non-OSA and pediatric OSA. The correlation analysis revealed that the relative abundance of Neisseria was significantly correlated with obstructive apnea hypopnea index. Furthermore, the functional prediction revealed that pathways related to cell proliferation and material metabolism were significantly different between non-OSA and pediatric OSA. Besides, the adeno-tonsillectomy has minimal impact on oral microbiota composition in short term. CONCLUSION: The changes in upper airway microbiome are highly associated with pediatric OSA. The relative abundance of some bacteria was significantly different between OSA and non-OSA. These bacteria have the potential to become new diagnostic and early warning biomarkers.

Early Atherosclerotic Inflammatory Pathways in Children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate structural and functional carotid changes and inflammatory profiles in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and healthy controls. STUDY DESIGN: Patients with OSA and matched controls (ages 5-13 years) were recruited. Proinflammatory cytokines and acute phase reactants were measured at 6:00 p.m. Common carotid artery measures were determined using ultrasound. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to determine subgroups of cytokines and their effects on carotid measures. RESULTS: Ninety-six patients participated (53 healthy controls, 43 patients with OSA). OSA was associated with increased proinflammatory cytokines (cluster of differentiation-40 ligand [CD40-L], interleukin [IL]-6, and IL-8) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (P < .05 for all). One cytokine subgroup (IL-6 and IL-8) was negatively associated with markers of carotid function, indicating reduced arterial distensibility and increased stiffness (P < .05 for 3 ultrasound measures); and tumor necrosis factor-α had an opposing effect on carotid function compared with this cytokine subgroup (P < .05 for 2 ultrasound measures). Linear regression demonstrated significant associations between and tumor necrosis factor- α and 2 measures of carotid function (P < .05 for each). Children with OSA did not have functional or structural carotid changes compared with controls. CONCLUSION: OSA was not directly associated with structural and functional carotid changes but was associated with upregulation of key proinflammatory cytokines (sCD40-L, IL-6, and IL-8). Together, IL-6 and IL-8 were associated with changes in carotid function. Longitudinal studies are needed to demonstrate that the inflammatory milieu observed in our population is a precursor of atherosclerosis in children.

Plasma Extracellular Vesicles in Children with OSA Disrupt Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity and Endothelial Cell Wound Healing in Vitro.

Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (P-OSA) is associated with neurocognitive deficits and endothelial dysfunction, suggesting the possibility that disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) may underlie these morbidities. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), which include exosomes, are small particles involved in cell-cell communications via different mechanisms and could play a role in OSA-associated end-organ injury. To examine the roles of EVs in BBB dysfunction, we recruited three groups of children: (a) absence of OSA or cognitive deficits (CL, n = 6), (b) OSA but no evidence of cognitive deficits (OSA-NC(-), n = 12), and (c) OSA with evidence of neurocognitive deficits (OSA-NC(+), n = 12). All children were age-, gender-, ethnicity-, and BMI-z-score-matched, and those with OSA were also apnea-hypopnea index (AHI)-matched. Plasma EVs were characterized, quantified, and applied on multiple endothelial cell types (HCAEC, HIAEC, human HMVEC-D, HMVEC-C, HMVEC-L, and hCMEC/D3) while measuring monolayer barrier integrity and wound-healing responses. EVs from OSA children induced significant declines in hCMEC/D3 transendothelial impedance compared to CL (p < 0.001), and such changes were greater in NC(+) compared to NC(-) (p < 0.01). The effects of EVs from each group on wound healing for HCAEC, HIAEC, HMVED-d, and hCMEC/D3 cells were similar, but exhibited significant differences across the three groups, with evidence of disrupted wound healing in P-OSA. However, wound healing in HMVEC-C was only affected by NC(+) (p < 0.01 vs. NC(-) or controls (CO). Furthermore, no significant differences emerged in HMVEC-L cell wound healing across all three groups. We conclude that circulating plasma EVs in P-OSA disrupt the integrity of the BBB and exert adverse effects on endothelial wound healing, particularly among OSA-NC(+) children, while also exhibiting endothelial cell type selectivity. Thus, circulating EVs cargo may play important roles in the emergence of end-organ morbidity in pediatric OSA.

A commentary on broader use of preoperative polysomnography in pediatric patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), characterized by repeated episodes of prolonged airway obstruction during sleep, is a common condition in pediatric patients ages 2 to 6. Polysomnography (PSG) testing can be used to assess the severity of OSA or obstructive sleep-disordered breathing prior to adenotonsillectomy. The article "Characteristics and Frequency of Children With Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea Undergoing Elective Polysomnography" by Bains et al. notes the variability in guidelines regarding indication for PSG amongst professional societies, making it difficult for physicians to determine which patients require PSG. The purpose of this commentary is to emphasize and elaborate on the potential benefit for preoperative PSG in all patients considering adenotonsillectomy as presented by the aforementioned article. With broader use of preoperative PSG, providers would have a more accurate assessment of OSA severity and to aid in surgical decision-making and postoperative planning.

Assessment of Changes in Behavior and Quality of Life after Monobloc Treatment in Children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea or Primary Snoring.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the quality of life and behavioral disorders in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or primary snoring, as well as how these problems changed after monobloc treatment. Methods: Fourteen children with primary snoring and 16 children with OSA who had skeletal class II malocclusion due to mandibular retrognathia were treated with monobloc appliances. To investigate the relationship between behavioral disorders and quality of life, parents were asked to complete four questionnaires: attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) scale, strength and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ), pediatric sleep questionnaire (PSQ), and Pittsburgh sleep quality scale (PSQS). Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to evaluate the data. Results: According to the results of the PSQ and PSQS, an increase in sleep quality was observed after monobloc treatment. The decrease in the total ADHD score at the end of the treatment was found to be statistically significant in both the OSA (p<0.01) and snoring (p<0.01) groups. According to the SDQ scores, the increase in the social behavior score and the decrease in the peer bullying score in the snoring group were statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: The use of a monobloc appliance in pediatric patients exhibiting primary snoring and OSA resulted in a notable reduction in sleep-breathing disorder symptoms and a notable enhancement in their overall quality of life. Based on the analyses of the questionnaires, it was concluded that the increase in sleep quality improved the pediatric patients' quality of life after orthodontic treatment with orthodontic monobloc appliances.

Lingual Tonsillectomy as Part of a DISE-Directed Multilevel Upper Airway Surgery to Treat Complex Pediatric OSA: A Safe and Appropriate Procedure.

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficiency of lingual tonsillectomy (LT) as part of multilevel surgery in children with complex obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). To evaluate the safety and the outcomes of LT. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Pediatric tertiary care academic center. METHODS: We included all children operated for LT to treat complex OSA, from January 2018 to June 2022. All patients underwent a protocolized drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) followed by a coblation LT, associated with the treatment of all other obstructive sites. Patient demographics, medical history, surgery, and outcomes were reviewed. The efficiency of LT was analyzed exclusively in patients with a preoperative and postoperative sleep study. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-three patients were included. Median age was 8 years (interquartile range, IQR [3-12]). Sixty-five (53%) patients had Down syndrome, 22 (18%) had a craniofacial malformation, and 8 (7%) were obese. LT was associated with adenoidectomy (n = 78, 63%), partial tonsillectomy (n = 70, 57%), inferior turbinoplasty/turbinectomy (n = 59, 48%), epiglottoplasty (n = 92, 75%), and/or expansion pharyngoplasty (n = 2, 2%). Eighty-nine patients underwent a sleep study before and after surgery. The median apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) decreased from 18 events/h (IQR [9-36]) before surgery to 3 events/h (IQR [1-5]) after surgery (P < .001) (patients with a postoperative AHI <1.5 events/h, n = 31, 35%, and an AHI <5 events/h, n = 32, 36%). Seventeen out of 30 (57%) patients could be weaned from continuous positive airway pressure after surgery. Two patients had a postoperative hemorrhage and 2 patients required a transient postoperative reintubation. CONCLUSION: In children with complex OSA, LT as part of a DISE-directed multilevel upper airway surgery, was a very efficient and safe procedure.

Clinical Application of Pediatric Sleep Endoscopy: An International Survey.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate through an international survey the actual clinical application of drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) in pediatric patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and to clarify the use, application, clinical indications, and protocol of pediatric DISE. METHODS: A specific survey about pediatric DISE was initially developed by five international otolaryngologists with expertise in pediatric sleep apnea and drug-induced sleep endoscopy and was later spread to experts in the field of sleep apnea, members of different OSA-related associations. RESULTS: A total of 101 participants who answered all the survey questions were considered in the study. Sixty-four sleep apnea experts, equivalent to 63.4% of interviewed experts, declared they would perform DISE in pediatric OSA patients. A total of 81.9% of responders agreed to consider the DISE as the first diagnostic step in children with persistent OSA after adenotonsillectomy surgery, whereas 55.4% disagreed with performing DISE at the same time of scheduled adenotonsillectomy surgery to identify other possible sites of collapse. In the case of young patients with residual OSA and only pharyngeal collapse during DISE, 51.8% of experts agreed with performing a velopharyngeal surgery. In this case, 27.7% disagreed and 21.4% were neutral. CONCLUSION: Pediatric DISE is internationally considered to be a safe and effective procedure for identifying sites of obstruction and collapse after adenotonsillectomy in children with residual OSA. This is also useful in cases of patients with craniofacial malformations, small tonsils, laryngomalacia or Down syndrome to identify the actual site(s) of collapse. Despite this evidence, our survey highlighted that pediatric DISE is not used in different sleep centers.

Pediatric Down Syndrome Upper Airway Stimulation: Patient Selection and Post-Implantation Optimization.

OBJECTIVE: The Food and Drug Administration recently approved upper airway stimulation (UAS) for children with Down Syndrome and persistent obstructive sleep apnea who meet certain inclusion and exclusion criteria. Although there is a robust experience with this therapy in the adult population, established protocols used in adults are not directly transferrable to a complex pediatric population. This review aims to combine the protocols from several institutions for patient selection and postimplantation optimization, including a protocol for Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy in children with Down Syndrome, preactivation threshold measurements, device titration, and follow-up sleep studies. STUDY DESIGN: Expert panel development of best Practice algorithm. SETTING: Multi-institutional investigator review. METHODS: An expert panel was assembled of pediatric otolaryngologists with extensive experience in hypoglossal nerve stimulation in children with Down Syndrome. Thirty statements were created during an initial drafting session. A modified Delphi method was used assess consensus among the panel. RESULTS: After 2 rounds of Delphi surveys, 29 statements met criteria for consensus. One statement did not meet consensus. The statements were grouped into several categories to facilitate presentation. CONCLUSIONS: A standardized approach to UAS for children with Down Syndrome must take into account the unique challenges inherent to treating a complex pediatric population with a high rate of sensory processing disorders. This expert panel has met consensus on several statements that will guide clinicians as this novel therapy is adopted.

Safety and efficacy of lingual tonsillectomy in multilevel airway surgery for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Prior studies have demonstrated the efficacy of lingual tonsillectomy in treating pediatric obstructive sleep apnea. The goal of this study is to describe the postoperative outcomes following lingual tonsillectomy as a part of drug-induced sleep endoscopy-directed multilevel sleep surgery. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed for pediatric patients with obstructive sleep apnea who underwent lingual tonsillectomy as a part of drug-induced sleep endoscopy-directed sleep surgery. Data collected included age, sex assigned at birth, body mass index z-score, polysomnography results, past medical and surgical history, and postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 174 patients were included in the study with a mean age of 8.29 ± 3.49 years (range 1.89-15.62) and mean preoperative apnea-hypopnea index of 7.88 ± 13.42 (range 1.10-123.40). Complications occurred in 26 patients (14.9%) including 14 patients (8.0%) requiring emergency department visit or readmission and 12 patients (6.9%) experiencing postoperative bleeding. Asthma (P = .033) and developmental delay (P = .016) correlated with postoperative complications. For patients with preoperative and postoperative polysomnography data (n = 145; 83.3%), there was significant improvement (P < .001) in apnea-hypopnea index with a mean postoperative apnea-hypopnea index of 4.02 ± 7.81 (range 0.00-54.46). Surgical failure, defined as postoperative apnea-hypopnea index ≥ 5, was identified in 25 patients (17.2%). Surgical failure was associated with body mass index z-score > 2 (P = .025) and Trisomy 21 (P = .005). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the promising surgical success rate of drug-induced sleep endoscopy-directed lingual tonsillectomy in multilevel sleep surgery (82.8%) and infrequent complications including postoperative bleeding (6.9%) and readmission (2.3%). CITATION: Williamson A, Morrow VR, Carr MM, Coutras SW. Safety and efficacy of lingual tonsillectomy in multilevel airway surgery for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea. J Clin Sleep Med. 2024;20(2):189-199.

Use of Polysomnography and CPAP in Children Who Received Adenotonsillectomy, US 2004 to 2018.

OBJECTIVES: 1) To determine the prevalence polysomnogram (PSG) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy use in children who received adenotonsillectomy (AT) for sleep symptoms. 2) To identify health care disparities in these regards. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective database analysis. METHODS: This study used data from Optum (Health Services Innovation Company) to identify 92,490 children who received AT for sleep symptoms between 2004 and 2018. Prevalence of preoperative PSG and postoperative PSG and CPAP were described. Clinical and demographic characteristics were compared between children who had preoperative PSG and those who did not. Characteristics of children with trisomy 21 (T21) were compared to assess PSG and CPAP use in a high-risk cohort. Predictive modeling was used to identify patient characteristics associated with postoperative PSG and CPAP use. RESULTS: Preoperative PSG was obtained in 5.5% of children overall and 33.2% of children with T21. Male sex, obesity, other medical comorbidities, non-White race/ethnicity, and higher parent education were associated with preoperative PSG. Fewer than 3% of children received postoperative PSGs and approximately 3% went on to receive CPAP therapy postoperatively. Multiple logistic regression showed that age at surgery, male sex, obesity, other medical comorbidities, non-White race/ethnicity, and higher parent education were associated with postoperative PSG and CPAP use. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This study described the prevalence pre-AT PSG use and post-AT PSG and CPAP use for persistent symptoms and identified sleep health care disparities in these regards. These results show that increased, equitable access to PSG is needed in children, particularly in the workup and treatment persistent symptoms after AT. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 133:184-188, 2023.

Racial Disparity in Residual Sleep Apnea After Adenotonsillectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Black children have a higher risk of residual obstructive sleep apnea after adenotonsillectomy than non-Black children. We analyzed Childhood Adenotonsillectomy Trial data to better understand this disparity. We hypothesized that (1) child-level factors, such as asthma, smoke exposure, obesity, sleep duration, and (2) socioeconomic factors, such as maternal education, maternal health, and neighborhood disadvantage, may confound, modify, or mediate the association between Black race and residual obstructive sleep apnea after adenotonsillectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Seven tertiary care centers. METHODS: We included two hundred and twenty-four 5-to-9-year-olds with mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea who underwent adenotonsillectomy. The outcome was residual obstructive sleep apnea 6 months after surgery. Data were analyzed with logistic regression and mediation analysis. RESULTS: Of 224 included children, 54% were Black. Compared with non-Black children, Black children had 2.7 times greater odds of residual sleep apnea (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2, 6.1; p = .01), adjusted for age, sex, and baseline Apnea Hypopnea Index. There was significant effect modification by obesity. Among obese children, there was no association between Black race and outcome. However, nonobese Black children were 4.9 times as likely to have residual sleep apnea than non-Black children (95% CI: 1.2, 20.0; p < 0.01). There was no significant mediation by any of the child-level or socioeconomic factors tested. CONCLUSION: There was substantial effect modification by obesity on the association between Black race and residual sleep apnea after adenotonsillectomy for mild-to-moderate sleep apnea. Black race was associated with poorer outcome among nonobese but not obese children.

Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Anticoagulating an Adolescent with Post-Tonsillectomy Massive PE: A Case Report.

OBJECTIVES: To report a case of a morbidly obese 17-year-old boy who presented 4 days post-tonsillectomy with acute deep venous thromboses and a massive pulmonary embolism. To describe a protocol and decision-making tree for providing anticoagulation in the immediate post-tonsillectomy period. METHODS: A chart review and review of the literature. RESULTS: The patient ultimately did well and had no bleeding from the tonsil beds or further thromboembolic complications. A review of the literature revealed no available data regarding the safety of anticoagulation in the immediate post-tonsillectomy period. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that if anticoagulation is needed within 14 days of tonsillectomy, submaximal anticoagulation with a reversible and titratable anticoagulant may be optimal. A multidisciplinary team approach is needed for these complex cases. Future reporting and investigation of anticoagulation post-tonsillectomy is needed.

Clinical Characteristics and Post-Operative Outcomes in Children with Very Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Available information on clinical characteristics and post-operative outcomes in children with very severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is limited. Our study evaluates the clinical features and polysomnographic (PSG) variables that predict post-operative outcomes in children with an obstructive apneal hypopnea index (AHI) of more than 25 events/hr. In this study from a single tertiary care center, we performed a retrospective chart review of patients with an AHI > 25/hr, who underwent tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A) between January 2016 and September 2021. In total, 50 children were included in the study: 26.0% (13/50) of children experienced post-operative respiratory events and four children needed intubation and ventilator support. Compared with children without respiratory events, children requiring post-operative respiratory interventions were younger (4.4 ± 5.2 vs. 8.0 ± 5.2 years; p = 0.04), had higher pre-operative AHI (73.6 ± 27.4 vs. 44.8 ± 24.9; p < 0.01), lower oxygen nadirs (70.0 ± 13.0% vs. 83.0 ± 7.0%; p < 0.01), and had lower body metabolic index Z-scores (−0.51 ± 2.1 vs. 0.66 ± 1.5; p < 0.04). Moderate to severe residual OSA was identified in 70% (24/34) of children with available post-operative PSG; younger children had better PSG outcomes. Our study shows that post-operative respiratory events are frequent in children with very severe OSA, particularly with an AHI > 40/h, younger children (<2 years of age), lower oxygen saturation (SpO2), and poor nutritional status, necessitating close monitoring.

Sleep Endoscopy Findings in Children With Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Small Tonsils.

OBJECTIVE: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in children is treated primarily with adenotonsillectomy (AT). When clinical exam demonstrates small tonsils, the success of AT in resolving OSA is uncertain. The purpose of this study is to determine the utility of Drug induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) for children with OSA and small tonsils (Brodsky scale 1+) and to identify what obstructive trends exist in this subset of patients and to determine the utility of DISE-directed surgical intervention in patients with small tonsils. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed for patients who underwent DISE at a tertiary care center over a 2-year period. Inclusion criteria were 1+ tonsils and a positive sleep study. Data collected included DISE findings, BMI, comorbid conditions, and pre-op PSG data. RESULTS: Forty children were included with a mean age of 5.0 years (range 8 months-16 years). Mean preoperative AHI was 5.46 and mean oxygen saturation nadir was 87.1%. The most common contributor to airway obstruction was the adenoid (29 patients, 72.5%), followed by the tongue base or lingual tonsil (21 patients, 52.5%). The palatine tonsils (10 patients, 25.0%), epiglottis (10.0%), or obstruction intrinsic to the larynx (10.0%) were significantly less frequently identified as contributors to OSA when compared to the adenoid (P < .001). The majority of patients had multilevel obstruction (25 patients, 62.5%). Adenoidectomy (27 patients, 67.5%) was the most commonly performed procedure, followed by tonsillectomy (10 patients, 25.0%, P < .001) and tongue base surgery (9 patient 22.5%, P < .001). CONCLUSION: In this group, small palatine tonsils were infrequently identified as a contributor to airway obstruction and tonsillectomy was avoided in most cases. This study illustrates the utility of DISE as a tool to personalize the surgical management of pediatric patients with OSA and small tonsils on physical exam.

Comparison of polysomnography, sleep apnea screening test and cardiopulmonary coupling in the diagnosis of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The study aims to investigate into the correlation between clinical characteristics of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the results of polysomnography (PSG), sleep apnea screening test (SAST) and cardiopulmonary coupling (CPC) respectively and compare their diagnostic values for pediatric OSA patients. METHODS: We recruited 239 pediatric OSA patients aged between 2 and 12 from Jan 1, 2017 to Jun 30, 2018. All the patients received PSG, SAST and CPC simultaneously and the results of these three different tests were compared and analyzed together with their clinical features. The relationship between the size of adenoid/tonsil and the severity of OSA was also analyzed. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were noted between SAST and PSG in the oxygen desaturation index (ODI3) and lowest oxygen saturation (LsO2) respectively. No significant statistical difference was noted in the proportion of rapid eye movement sleep between CPC and PSG. The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) from CPC was significantly lower than that from PSG. In the severe OSA group, no significant statistical difference was noted in AHI between these two tests. However, AHI from CPC was significantly lower than that from PSG in other groups. No statistically significant difference was noted in AHI and ODI3 among different groups graded by the size of adenoid or tonsil, suggesting that the size of adenoid/tonsil may not be highly related to the severity of OSA. CONCLUSION: SAST is an acceptable fast screening tool in the assessments of blood oxygen desaturation and further pediatric OSA screening. CPC is capable to screen severe pediatric OSA, but its results should be interpreted with caution for pediatric patients with non-severe OSA. The size of adenoid/tonsil may not be highly related to the severity of OSA.

Lower respiratory tract infections in early life are associated with obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis during childhood in a large birth cohort.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Several birth cohorts have defined the pivotal role of early lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in the inception of pediatric respiratory conditions. However, the association between early LRTI and the development of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children has not been established. METHODS: To investigate whether early LRTIs increase the risk of pediatric OSA, we analyzed clinical data in children followed during the first 5 years in the Boston Birth Cohort (n = 3114). Kaplan-Meier survival estimates and Cox proportional hazards models adjusted by pertinent covariates were used to evaluate the risk of OSA by the age of 5 years between children with LRTI during the first 2 years of life in comparison to those without LRTI during this period. RESULTS: Early life LRTI increased the risk of pediatric OSA independently of other pertinent covariates and risk factors (hazard ratio, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.15 to 2.05). Importantly, the association between LRTI and pediatric OSA was limited to LRTIs occurring during the first 2 years of life. Complementarily to this finding, we observed that children who had severe respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis during infancy had two times higher odds of OSA at 5 years in comparison with children without this exposure (odds ratio, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.12 to 3.88). CONCLUSIONS: Children with severe LRTIs in early life have significantly increased risk of developing OSA during the first 5 years of life. Our results offer a new paradigm for investigating novel mechanisms and interventions targeting the early pathogenesis of OSA in the pediatric population.

Advantages and disadvantages of mandibular distraction in Robin sequence.

Robin sequence (RS) is diagnosed in infants born with micrognathia, glossoptosis and varying degrees of upper airway obstruction (UAO). Due to the variable levels of hypoxia, severe breathing and feeding problems can occur. Treatment is determined by clinical severity, ranging from conservative interventions for mild cases to surgical interventions for severe cases. Mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) is a surgical technique that gradually lengthens the mandible after an osteotomy by using an internal or external distraction device, directly correcting the micrognathia. This review will focus on advantages and disadvantages of mandibular distraction in infants with RS.

Successful treatment of a child with Schwartz-Jampel syndrome using rapid maxillary expansion and CPAP.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: We reported an 8-year-old male patient with Schwartz-Jampel syndrome, severe obstructive sleep apnea, constricted maxilla and moderate tonsillar hypertrophy. The syndrome is characterized by myotonia, skeletal dysplasia, and facial dysmorphism. METHODS: CPAP was initially prescribed, but he was not able to tolerate due to a high pressure setting. Rapid maxillary expansion alone reduced AHI to 10.4 events/h. RESULTS: When combined with CPAP, AHI is further reduced to 2.4 events/h. The patient has a better compliance with CPAP following rapid maxillary expansion therapy as the pressure setting decreased. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report utilizing a combination of rapid maxillary expansion and CPAP therapy to successfully treat severe pediatric OSA.

Irreversible metabolic abnormalities following chronic upper airway loading.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea increases obesity risk by an unclear mechanism. Here, we explored the effects of upper airway obstruction and its removal on respiratory homeostasis, energy expenditure, and feeding hormones during the sleep/wake cycle from weaning to adulthood. METHODS: The tracheas of 22-day-old rats were narrowed, and obstruction removal was performed on post-surgery day 14. Energy expenditure, ventilation, and hormone-regulated feeding were analyzed during 49 days before and after obstruction. RESULTS: Energy expenditure increased and body temperature decreased in upper airway obstruction and was only partially recovered in obstruction removal despite normalization of airway resistance. Increased energy expenditure was associated with upregulation of ventilation. Decreased body temperature was associated with decreased brown adipose tissue uncoupling protein 1 level, suppressed energy expenditure response to norepinephrine, and decreased leptin level. Upper airway obstructed animals added less body weight, in spite of an increase in food intake, due to elevated hypothalamic orexin and neuropeptide Y and plasma ghrelin. Animals who underwent obstruction removal fed more due to an increase in hypothalamic neuropeptide Y and plasma ghrelin. CONCLUSIONS: The need to maintain respiratory homeostasis is associated with persistent abnormal energy metabolism and hormonal regulation of feeding. Surgical treatment per se may not be sufficient to correct energy homeostasis, and endocrine regulation of feeding may have a larger effect on weight change.

Supplemental Oxygen for Treatment of Infants With Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Supplemental oxygen has been shown to decrease the frequency of obstructive respiratory events during sleep, but may result in alveolar hypoventilation. Limited information exists on the effect of supplemental oxygen on sleep and respiratory events in infants with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of infants with OSA who had sleep studies performed from 2007-2012. All infants underwent a room air diagnostic sleep study (RA-PSG), followed by a sleep study while breathing supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula (O2-PSG) on a separate night. Infants with split-night studies or with inadequate sleep time were excluded. RESULTS: Fifty-nine infants met criteria for entry into analysis. The mean age of infants at the time of RA-PSG was 13.0 ± 11.7 weeks and at O2-PSG was 15.4 ± 13.0 weeks. The obstructive AHI decreased from 19.7 ± 13.0 during RA-PSG to 10.6 ± 11.7 during O2-PSG (P < .001). The duration of longest obstructive apnea increased from 11.0 ± 4.2 seconds to 13.4 ± 7.4 seconds (P = .01). The lowest saturation associated with obstructive apneas increased from 80.7 ± 6.8% to 90.0 ± 6.7% (P < .001). Carbon dioxide data showed no difference in ventilation after supplemental oxygen administration. There was no significant change in the spontaneous arousal index, however, the percentage of respiratory events associated with arousal increased from 20.7 ± 11.1% to 35.7 ± 19.7% (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Infants with OSA who received supplemental oxygen had a significant decrease in the frequency of obstructive respiratory events and improved oxygenation without adverse effect on alveolar ventilation. These data suggest that supplemental oxygen may be an effective treatment for infants with OSA who are not good candidates for continuous positive airway pressure or surgery. CITATION: Brockbank J, Astudillo CL, Che D, Tanphaichitr A, Huang G, Tomko J, Simakajornboon N. Supplemental oxygen for treatment of infants with obstructive sleep apnea. J Clin Sleep Med. 2019;15(8):1115-1123.