Diagnosis and management of Cheyne-Stokes respiration as a complication of dilated cardiomyopathy in a 10-year-old child.

Central sleep apnea due to Cheyne-Stokes respiration is frequently described in adults with cardiac failure, but few (< 20) cases are reported in children. We report the case of a 10-year-old male with dilated cardiomyopathy and cardiac failure (left ventricular ejection fraction 36%), in whom recurrent, prolonged pauses in breathing during sleep were noted. A cardiorespiratory polygraphy sleep study was performed, which demonstrated the presence of central sleep apnea due to Cheyne-Stokes respiration. A total of 373 central events were scored and central apnea-hypopnea index was 47.4 events/h. Overnight continuous positive airways pressure was commenced via a nasal mask. Both child and mother reported improved well-being on continuous positive airways pressure, and a repeat cardiorespiratory polygraphy on continuous positive airways pressure noted a fall in central apnea-hypopnea index to 1.2 events/h. We believe this to be the first case describing successful treatment of central sleep apnea due to Cheyne-Stokes respiration in a child using continuous positive airways pressure. The improvement in patient well-being highlights the importance of a sleep history and/or sleep studies in children with cardiac failure.

Citation: Hill LE, Blackmore L, Narayanan M, et al. Diagnosis and management of Cheyne-Stokes respiration as a complication of dilated cardiomyopathy in a 10-year-old child. J Clin Sleep Med. 2025;21(6):1129-1132.