Long term noninvasive respiratory support in children with OSA-I and OSA-II: Data of a nation-wide study

Purpose

The aim of the study was to analyze the characteristics of otherwise healthy children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA; OSA-I) and children with OSA and non-syndromic obesity (OSA-II) treated with long term continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in 2019 in France.

Methods

Data were collected from a national survey on paediatric home noninvasive ventilatory support. CPAP/NIV initiation criteria and duration, age at CPAP/NIV initiation, equipment used and CPAP/NIV settings, and objective compliance were analyzed.

Results

Patients with OSA-I and OSA-II represented 6 % (n = 84, 71 % males) and 10 % (n = 144, 72 % males) of the national cohort, respectively. The apnea-hypopnea index (63 % vs 76 %), alone or combined with nocturnal gas exchange (25 % vs 21 %, for OSA-II and OSA-I patients respectively) were used as initiation criteria of CPAP/NIV. OSA-II patients were older at CPAP/NIV initiation (mean age 11.0 ± 4.0 vs 6.8 ± 4.5 years, p < 0.001) and were treated for a longer time (2.3 ± 2.6 vs 1.3 ± 1.5 years, p = 0.008) than OSA-I patients. NIV was used in 6 % of OSA-I patients and 13 % of OSA-II patients (p = 0.142). Both groups used preferentially a nasal mask. Mean CPAP level was higher in OSA-II patients as compared to OSA-I patients (8.7 ± 2.0 vs 7.7 ± 2.4 cmH₂O, p = 0.02). Objective compliance was comparable (mean use 6.8 ± 2.6 vs 5.9 ± 3.0 h/night in OSA-I and OSA-II, respectively, p = 0.054).

Conclusion

Six and 10 % of children treated with long term CPAP/NIV in France in 2019 had OSA-I and OSA-II, respectively. Both groups were preferentially treated with CPAP and were comparable except for age, with OSA-II patients being older at CPAP/NIV initiation.