Characteristics of sleep-disordered breathing in children with down syndrome - A comparison with typically developing children

Background

Compared with typically developing control children (CC), children with Down syndrome (DS) frequently exhibit sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and unusual sleep postures (USPs). No studies have directly compared SDB-related signs and symptoms, SDB-related parameters, and USPs between children with DS and CC. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalences of SDB and USPs in children with DS and CC.

Methods

We analyzed SDB-related parameters measured via overnight pulse oximetry and questionnaires administered to parents on SDB-related signs and symptoms, including sleeping postures. Estimated SDB was defined as a 3% oxygen desaturation index (ODI) ≥5 dips/h.

Results

Fifty-one children with DS (4–5 years: N = 12, 6–10 years: N = 23, 11–15 years: N = 16) and sixty-three CC (4–5 years: N = 18, 6–10 years: N = 27, 11–15 years: N = 18) were included. The prevalence of estimated SDB and observed USPs was higher in children with DS than in CC (p < 0.0001). Among children aged 11–15 years old, but not those aged 4–5 and 6–10 years old, frequency of arousal and apnea (p = 0.045 and p = 0.01, respectively) were higher in children with DS than in CC. Multivariate analyses showed that DS was associated with SDB-related signs and symptoms, estimated SDB, 3% ODI, average oxygen saturation (SpO₂), and nadir SpO₂, while USPs were associated only with higher values of SpO₂ <90%.

Conclusions

Estimated SDB tended to increase in children with DS but decreased in CC with growth. USPs were more frequent in children with DS than in CC, especially in older children. USPs might indicate severe hypoxemia due to SDB in DS.