Obstructive sleep apnea in children

Childhood obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is characterized by recurrent episodes of partial or complete upper airway obstruction during sleep. The disease encompasses a continuum from primary snoring (a benign condition without physiological alterations or associated complications) to increased upper airway resistance, obstructive hypoventilation and OSAS. The prevalence of snoring is high, ranging from 1.5% to 15%, depending on how it is defined. Based on parent-reported questionnaires and complementary tests, the prevalence of OSAS is 1-4%. This syndrome is more common in boys, overweight children, of African ancestry, with a history of atopy and prematurity. The most common symptoms are snoring that is frequent and loud; family-reported apnea; and restless sleep. The physical examination should assess growth status, signs of chronic upper airway obstruction, and craniofacial malformations. Overnight polysomnography is the gold standard test for the diagnosis and for the determination of the appropriate positive pressure level, as well as for postsurgical treatment evaluation. Intermittent hypoxia and multiple arousals resulting from obstructive events contribute to the well-described cardiovascular, neurocognitive, and behavioral consequences in pediatric patients with OSAS. Although the main treatment for OSAS in children is adenotonsillectomy, treatment with CPAP or Bilevel is becoming more widely used in the pediatric population.Em crianças, SAOS é caracterizada por episódios recorrentes de obstrução parcial ou completa das vias aéreas superiores durante o sono. Caracteriza-se por um continuum que vai desde o ronco primário (uma situação benigna de ronco sem alterações fisiológicas e complicações associadas), passando por resistência aumentada das vias aéreas, hipoventilação obstrutiva e, finalmente, SAOS. A prevalência de ronco é elevada e, dependendo da forma como ele é definido, varia entre 1,5% e 15%. O diagnóstico da SAOS, combinando questionários de relatos dos pais e exames complementares, apresenta uma prevalência de 1-4%. A SAOS é mais frequente nos meninos, nas crianças com sobrepeso, de ascendência africana, com história de atopia e prematuridade. Ronco alto e frequente, apneias observadas pelos familiares e sono agitado são os sintomas mais frequentes. O exame físico deve identificar a situação ponderostatural do paciente, avaliar evidências de obstrução crônica das vias aéreas superiores e ainda verificar a presença de alterações craniofaciais. A polissonografia de noite inteira é o exame padrão tanto para o diagnóstico, como para a definição da pressão necessária em equipamentos de pressão positiva e também para a avaliação do tratamento cirúrgico. A hipóxia intermitente e os múltiplos despertares resultantes dos eventos obstrutivos contribuem para as consequências cardiovasculares, neurocognitivas e comportamentais bem descritos nesses pacientes. A adenoamigdalectomia é o principal tratamento para a SAOS em crianças. O uso da pressão positiva nas vias aéreas (CPAP ou Bilevel) é outra opção de uso crescente na população pediátrica.Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Faculdade de Medicina Hospital de Clinicas de Porto AlegreUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Instituto do Sono Departamento de PsicobiologiaUNIFESP, Instituto do Sono Depto. de PsicobiologiaSciEL

Efficacy of a mandibular advancement intraoral appliance (MOA) for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in pediatric patients : a pilot-study

To evaluate the treatment efficacy of a mandibular advancement intraoral appliance (MOA) for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in pediatric patients. Eighteen patients (mean=8.39 years old, women=44.4%) were selected. Sleep disorders, sleep bruxism, and temporomandibular disorders were assessed by the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC), the BiteStrip® (portable SB device), and the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders, respectively. The clinical diagnosis of OSAS was confirmed with a type 3 portable monitor device (ApneaLinkTM Plus). A silicon-based material MOA was used by patients for 60 days, and the results were compared to baseline. The median RDI was significantly reduced from 10 to 4.5 events/hour. Nadir SpO2 significantly increased from 82.6% to 88.9%. Total snoring events/hour have also significantly decreased from 205.5 to 91.5. Signs and symptoms of TMD remained unaltered. There was also a reduction from moderate to absence of SB in 12 patients. Similarly, all variables measured by the SDSC have had very significant reductions: disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep, sleep disordered breathing, disorders of arousal, nightmares, sleep wake transition disorders, disorders of excessive somnolence, and sleep hyperhidrosis. In selected cases, OA maybe considered as an alternative for the OSAS treatment

Prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases and medication use among children and adolescents in Brazil : a population based cross-sectional study

Objectives: to describe the prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases and their pharmacological management in children and adolescents in Brazil. Methods: data from the Pesquisa Nacional de Acesso, Uso e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos no Brasil (PNAUM)(National Access Survey, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines in Brazil),a population-based cross-sectional study, were analyzed. Household surveys were conducted between September 2013 and February 2014. We included the population under 20 years of age with chronic respiratory diseases. Prevalence of disease, indication of pharmacological treatment, and their use were assessed. Results: the prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases in children aged less than 6 years old was 6.1% (CI95%= 5.0-7.4), 4.7% (CI95%= 3.4-6.4) in those 6-12 years, and 3.9% (CI95%= 2.8-5.4) in children 13 years and older. Children under 6 showed a higher prevalence of pharmacological treatment indication (74.6%; CI95%= 66.0-81.7), as well as medication use (72.6%; CI95%= 62.8- 80.7). Of those using inhalers, 56.6% reported using it with a spacer. The most frequent pharmacologic classes reported were short-acting β2 agonists (19.0%), followed by antihistamines (17.2%). Conclusion: children and adolescents who report chronic respiratory diseases living in urban areas in Brazil seem to be undertreated for their chronic conditions. Pharmacological treatment, even if indicated, was not used, an important finding for decision-making in this population