Habitual snoring and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in children: effects of early tonsil surgery

Evaluation of symptoms of preopoperative and postoperative psychosomatic screening in children with adenoidectomy and adenotonsillectomy

INTRODUCTION

Adenoidectomy and adenotonsillectomy are very common operations in childhood. It is important to clarify their effects on this age group; in this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of the causative agent on children's mental health by using scales that help to screen for indications of mental disorders in children, who have had adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy, both before and after surgery. In this way, we aimed to investigate the effects of this factor on children's mental health.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 82 children aged 6-12 years with signs of upper respiratory tract obstruction or recurrent adenotonsilitis. Adenotonsillectomy was performed in 41 patients included in the study and adenoidectomy was performed in 41 patients included in the study. 40 healthy children matched with the patient groups in terms of age and gender were included in the control group. Patients, were divided into three groups, those who underwent adenoidectomy, patients undergoing adenotonsillectomy and those in the control group Preoperative and postoperative questionnaires were used to investigate the effect of tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy on the mental health of children. The Parents' Form for the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Parental Form for the Children's Anxiety Screening Scale, the Sleeping Scale for Children and the Quality of Life Scale for Children were used in the screening.

RESULTS

In children, who underwent adenoidectomy/adenotonsillectomy due to recurrent infection and adeno/adenotonsillar hypertrophy; it was seen that there was a significant decrease in the scores for the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Anxiety Screening Scale in Children, and the Sleep Scale in Children, and a significant increase in Quality of Life Scale for Children scores.

OUTCOME

In conclusion, adenoidectomy/adenotonsillectomy in children with sleep apnea due to recurrent episodes of infection and adeno/adenotonsillar hypertrophy was thought to prevent further neurobehavioral problems, likely to become more complex in the future, and to improve quality of life.

Indications for tonsillectomy stratified by the level of evidence

Background: One of the most significant clinical trials, demonstrating the efficacy of tonsillectomy (TE) for recurrent throat infection in severely affected children, was published in 1984. This systematic review was undertaken to compile various indications for TE as suggested in the literature after 1984 and to stratify the papers according to the current concept of evidence-based medicine. Material and methods: A systematic Medline research was performed using the key word of "tonsillectomy" in combination with different filters such as "systematic reviews", "meta-analysis", "English", "German", and "from 1984/01/01 to 2015/05/31". Further research was performed in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, National Guideline Clearinghouse, Guidelines International Network and BMJ Clinical Evidence using the same key word. Finally, data from the "Trip Database" were researched for "tonsillectomy" and "indication" and "from: 1984 to: 2015" in combination with either "systematic review" or "meta-analysis" or "metaanalysis". Results: A total of 237 papers were retrieved but only 57 matched our inclusion criteria covering the following topics: peritonsillar abscess (3), guidelines (5), otitis media with effusion (5), psoriasis (3), PFAPA syndrome (6), evidence-based indications (5), renal diseases (7), sleep-related breathing disorders (11), and tonsillitis/pharyngitis (12), respectively. Conclusions: 1) The literature suggests, that TE is not indicated to treat otitis media with effusion. 2) It has been shown, that the PFAPA syndrome is self-limiting and responds well to steroid administration, at least in a considerable amount of children. The indication for TE therefore appears to be imbalanced but further research is required to clarify the value of surgery. 3) Abscesstonsillectomy as a routine is not justified and indicated only for cases not responding to other measures of treatment, evident complications, or with a significant history of tonsillitis. In particular, interval-tonsillectomy is not justified as a routine. 4) TE, with or without adenoidectomy, is efficacious to resolve sleep-related breathing disorders resulting from (adeno)tonsillar hypertrophy in children. However, the benefit is reduced by co-morbidities, such as obesity, and further research is required to identify prognostic factors for this subgroup of patients. Further research is indicated to clarify selection criteria not only for this subpopulation that may benefit from less invasive procedures such as tonsillotomy in the long-term. 5) Further trials are also indicated to evaluate the efficacy of TE on the clinical course in children with psoriasis guttata as well as on psoriasis vulgaris in adults, not responding to first-line therapy. 6) Conflicting results were reported concerning the role of TE in the concert to treat Ig-A nephropathy, mandating further clinical research. 7) Most importantly, randomized-controlled clinical trials with an adequate long-term follow-up are desirable to clarify the benefit of TE in patients with recurrent episodes of tonsillitis, with or without pharyngitis. Factors like age, spontaneous healing rate and postoperative quality of life have to be included when comparing TE with antibiotic therapy.

Improved behavior after adenotonsillectomy in children with higher and lower IQ

OBJECTIVES

To examine whether high intellectual ability, in comparison to average or lower performance, reflects the consequences of sleep-disordered breathing and limits behavioral benefit observed 6 months after adenotonsillectomy.

METHODS

Children aged 3-12 years (n=147) recruited from otolaryngology practices at two hospitals and assessed with Conners' Parent Rating Scales and an age range-appropriate intellectual measure, the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale at baseline and 6 months after clinically-indicated adenotonsillectomy. Subjects were classified as having high (IQ≥110), average (90≤IQ<110), or low (IQ<90) cognitive ability.

RESULTS

After adenotonsillectomy, improvements in Conners' internalizing, externalizing, hyperactivity, and cognitive domains were observed across IQ groups (main effects for time, all p<0.01 or better), with no evidence for differential improvements among the groups (no significant time by IQ group interactions). The magnitude of behavioral improvement among children with high IQ resembled that observed among the other two groups. Changes in the Conners' domains were not significantly correlated with baseline IQ, age, socioeconomic status, body mass index z-score, or respiratory disturbance index.

CONCLUSION

Behavioral function can improve after adenotonsillectomy even among children with relatively high intellectual ability at baseline. Diagnosis and treatment with expectation of neurobehavioral benefit should be considered among high-performing children as readily as it is more traditionally among their lower-performing peers.

Seasonal variation in a clinical referral pediatric cohort at risk for obstructive sleep apnea

OBJECTIVE

The present study was carried to examine the hypothesis that the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a clinical referral population of children would manifest seasonal variability in their polysomnographic findings.

METHODS

The study population comprised consecutive children referred for evaluation of habitual nighttime snoring, parentally witnessed apnea during sleep, and difficult or noisy breathing during sleep. A total of 554 children were identified as eligible and underwent full-night polysomnography (PSG). Monthly fluctuation patterns in PSG measures were assessed in 2 age groups (<6 and ≥ 6 years old).

RESULTS

In the younger group, the lowest AHI was found in the month of August (9.5 ± 1.7/hrTST) while December emerged as the month with the lowest AHI for the older group (8.7 ± 2.3/hrTST). The highest AHI was in January (24.8 ± 7.5/hrTST) in the group ≥ 6 years old, and in March (32.7 ± 6.9/hrTST) in the younger group.

CONCLUSION

Seasonal changes are present in children with clinically symptomatic OSA and differ among younger and older children, with global trends toward improved AHI during summer, especially in younger children. Future studies should be conducted to define a "correction factor" for the month of PSG assessment that will enable accurate decision making when evaluating symptomatic children with habitual snoring.

Tonsillitis, peritonsillar and lateral pharyngeal abscesses

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are occasionally called on to diagnose, treat, and rule out peritonsillar abscesses. In this article, the anatomy of the peritonsillar area, its contents, surgical approaches, and possible complications are discussed.

Parental satisfaction with post-adenotonsillectomy in the developing world

AIM/BACKGROUND

Tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures by the otolaryngologists in the pediatric population. The aim of this study is to evaluate parental expectation and satisfaction following tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Hospital-based prospective study of all consented parents whose children had tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy over a period of 13 months (February 2008 to February 2009) using a cross-sectional method. Pre- and post-surgical questionnaire-based Interview was conducted for them and information retrieved included biodata, pre- and post-surgical symptoms on follow-up in the clinic of obstructive sleep apnoea, snoring, mouth breathing and rhinorrhea, parental expectation and satisfaction after surgery. All data were entered into statistical data using SPSS version 11 and analyzed and the results are presented in tables and figures.

RESULTS

A total of 29 patients had adenotonsillar surgery, who were within the age range of 1.50-14 years with a mean age of 5.50 (SD=4.06+/-0.75). M:F ratio was found to be 3:1 (22 males and 7 females). Parents were satisfied with the expected outcome in terms of symptoms post-operatively in 96.6% while only one 3.4% were not satisfied.

CONCLUSION

Majority of the parents (96.6%) were satisfied with the expectation of immediate resolution of symptoms; however, obstructive adenotonsillar hypertrophy remains an important problem to be solved to achieve total parental satisfaction in adenotonsillar operations.

Sibling risk of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and adenotonsillar hypertrophy

OBJECTIVES

To estimate sibling risk of hospitalization for children with sleep disordered breathing (SDB), diagnosed with (1) obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), or (2) adenotonsillar hypertrophy in the total Swedish population.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Using the MigMed database at the Karolinska Institute, we divided the population of Sweden aged 0-18 years into sibling groups based on a shared mother and father and presence of a primary hospital diagnosis of OSAS or adenotonsillar hypertrophy for each individual born between 1978 and 1986, during the follow-up period 1997-2004. Individuals with at least one affected sibling were identified and the incidence rates were computed, using standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Reference groups were boys and girls with unaffected siblings of 2 or more.

RESULTS

After accounting for socioeconomic status, age, and geographic region, boys with at least one sibling with OSAS had an increased risk of having OSAS (SIR, 33.2; 95% CI, 16.5-64.8), and in girls the SIR was 40.5 (19.4-81.4). For hypertrophy of the tonsils or hypertrophy of the adenoids and tonsils the corresponding SIRs were 4.53 (3.0-6.8) for boys and 4.94 (3.3-7.4) for girls.

CONCLUSIONS

The study indicate an increased sibling risk of sleep disordered breathing in children, which may be due to heritable genes and/or shared environment such as increased awareness among family members or referring doctors. Caregivers should ask parents if siblings have similar symptoms, and thus offer them early treatment.

Updated systematic review of tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for treatment of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome

Objective: Perform an updated systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the cure rate of tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A) for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

Methods: A systematic review was performed to identify English-language studies that evaluate the treatment of pediatric (age < 20 years) OSAHS patients with T&A using polysomnography as a metric of cure. Twenty-three studies fit the inclusion criteria and a meta-analysis was performed to determine the overall success. Meta-analysis was also performed to determine the success in obese and comorbid populations vs cohorts of healthy children.

Results: The meta-analysis included 1079 subjects (mean sample size of 42 patients) with a mean age of 6.5 years. The effect measure was the percentage of pediatric patients with OSAHS who were successfully treated (k = 22 studies) with T&A based on preoperative and postoperative PSG data. Random-effects model estimated the treatment success of T&A was 66.3 percent, when cure was defined per each individual study. When “cure” was defined as an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of <1 (k = 9 studies), random-effects model estimate for OSAHS treatment success with T&A was 59.8 percent. Postoperative mean AHI was significantly decreased from preoperative levels.

Conclusions: Contrary to popular belief, meta-analysis of current literature demonstrates that pediatric sleep apnea is often not cured by T&A. Although complete resolution is not achieved in most cases, T&A still offers significant improvements in AHI, making it a valuable first-line treatment for pediatric OSAHS.

Adenotonsillectomy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children: Outcome Evaluated by Pre- and Postoperative Polysomnography

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the outcome of adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children using objective data from polysomnography supplemented by subjective proxy reports from the OSA-18 quality of life instrument.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

METHODS

Children 3 to 14 years of age with OSA diagnosed principally on the basis of polysomnography as having an obstructive apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) of 5 or greater underwent adenotonsillectomy. OSA was classified as mild (AHI > or = 5 < 10), moderate (AHI > or = 10 < 20), or severe (AHI > or =20). Children enrolled in the study also had postoperative polysomnography 3 to 6 months after surgery. Caregivers completed the OSA-18 survey before surgery and within 6 months after surgery. Pearson correlation was used to compare the pre- and postoperative AHI values with the pre- and postoperative OSA-18 total scores. SAS procedures (SAS Corp., Cary, NC) were used for statistical analyses. A P value less than or equal to .05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

The study population included 79 healthy children, 40 of who were male. The mean age was 6.3 (range, 3.0-14.0) years. Only tonsillar size was correlated significantly with a high preoperative AHI. For all children, the preoperative AHI value was higher than the postoperative value. The mean preoperative AHI for the study population was 27.5, whereas the mean postoperative AHI was 3.5. This change was highly significant (P < .001). The percentage of children with normal polysomnography parameters after adenotonsillectomy ranged from 71% to 90% as a function of the criteria used to define OSA. It was highest when an obstructive apnea index less than 1 was used and lowest when an AHI less than 1 was used to define resolution of OSA. Overnight respiratory parameters after adenotonsillectomy were normal for all children with mild OSA. Three (12%) children with moderate preoperative OSA, and 13 (36%) children with severe preoperative OSA had persistent OSA after adenotonsillectomy. Resolution of OSA occurred in all children with a preoperative AHI less than or equal to 10 and in 73% of children with a preoperative AHI greater than 10. The mean total OSA-18 score and the mean scores for all domains showed significant improvement after surgery (P < .001). The preoperative AHI values had a fair correlation with the preoperative total OSA-18 scores (r = 0.28), but postoperative AHI values had a poor correlation with the postoperative total OSA-18 scores (r = 0.16). Caregivers reported snoring some, most, or all of the time in 22 (28%) children; this group included all children with persistent OSA.

CONCLUSIONS

Adenotonsillectomy for OSA results in a dramatic improvement in respiratory parameters as measured by polysomnography in the majority of healthy children. Quality of life also improves significantly after adenotonsillectomy for OSA in children. However, the correlation between improvements in respiratory parameters and improvements in quality of life is poor. Severe preoperative OSA is associated with persistence of OSA after adenotonsillectomy. Postoperative reports of symptoms such as snoring and witnessed apneas correlate well with persistence of OSA after adenotonsillectomy.

Surgery for Pediatric Sleep Apnea

Sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD) in children are caused by a diverse group of anatomic and physiologic pathologies. These disorders share a common clinical presentation as stertor or sonorous breathing, occasionally accompanied by apneic events of variable duration. Successful management depends on accurate identification of the site of obstruction and the severity of obstruction. Intervention, both surgical and nonsurgical, is tailored to the disorder. In children with SRBD, such intervention may alter behavior and cognition, improve sleep and feeding, or even save a life.

Adenotonsillectomy in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Proposal of a surgical decision-taking algorithm

OBJECTIVE

The incidence of snoring in the pediatric population is 10% and the incidence of OSAS is equal to 2-3%. Sometimes, primary snoring and OSAS overlap and only polysomnography can differentiate the two disorders but its use is complex, expensive and highly controversial. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the value of the clinical assessment associated with the patient's history in selecting children with OSAS and to validate the therapeutic algorithm, thereby employing polysomnography only for selected cases.

METHODS

A population of 118 patients was considered, selected by means of a questionnaire that indicated OSAS and a clinical evaluation that confirmed the diagnosis. The studied group underwent clinical assessment complete with fibreoptic survey as well as nocturnal pulse oxymetry, orthodontic and phoniatric evaluation. Regardless of the adenotonsillar size, all the selected children underwent adenotonsillectomy and were evaluated after 3 months with the help of a questionnaire, ORL examination and nocturnal pulse oxymetry.

RESULTS

In all the patients we witnessed the disappearance of apnea. A 80.5% of children benefited from the surgical procedure. A 12.7% continued to present minor symptoms. A 6.8% continued to snore in a discontinuous manner, but without apnea: these children were re-assessed after a further 6 months with nocturnal pulse oxymetry and no oxymetric alteration was demonstrated. There were no significant differences between the degree of upper airway obstruction and the surgical outcome.

CONCLUSION

The history and clinical exam are sensitive tools, even though relatively aspecific. Our results confirm the validity of the history and clinical exam as a screening method as well as the role of the surgical procedure that can re-establish the patency of the upper airways and to contrast the neuromuscular hypotonia as a result of the effect of the surgical scar. If it is true that primary snoring and OSAS are a continuum, our approach regarding surgery may be defined as a form of prevention regarding a pathology with potential complications. Polysomnography cannot be carried out routinely due to the lack of specialised centres and because of its excessive cost. It is an option to be used only in unsuccessful adenotonsillectomies and for those children who have complicated presentations from the outset.

The effect of adenotonsillectomy on children suffering from obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS): the Negev perspective

OBJECTIVE

To present the Negev perspective in recent decades as to the effect of adenotonsillectomy regarding clinical and polysomnographic features, cardiopulmonary morbidity, growth, neurocognitive function, health care services utilization, and enuresis by reviewing current related literature.

METHODS

All relevant published data by the Soroka University Medical Center and related community medical services were reviewed and compared to MEDLINE linked literature regarding aspects of childhood obstructive sleep apnea published through November 2005.

RESULTS

Published data support a significant effect of adenotonsillectomy on the associated co morbidities: adenotonsillectomy resulted in the reduction of pulmonary hypertension, improved growth as a result of an increase in growth hormone secretion, improvement of neurocognitive function to the normal range, reduction in nocturnal enuresis, as well as reducing general morbidities, as reflected by the reduction in health care utilization. However, there are still uncertainties relating to major aspects. There is no specific definition for OSAS grading, or for generating a guideline for surgical treatment and refinement of the indications of T&A.

CONCLUSIONS

Adenotonsillectomy has a beneficial effect on children with OSAS, however, further research is required before recommendations for the treatment of OSAS in children can be formulated.

Snore-associated sleep fragmentation in infancy: mental development effects and contribution of secondhand cigarette smoke exposure

OBJECTIVE

The link between sleep-disordered breathing and neurocognitive functioning in preschool and school-aged children now has been established clearly. Within these age groups, isolated studies have examined the potential effect of snoring without gas exchange abnormalities on aspects of cognitive competence. The goal of the study was to test the potential association between snoring and decrements in developmental performance among infants.

METHODS

Thirty-five healthy community infants (8.2 +/- 0.4 months) were administered the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, including the Mental Development Index (MDI), after standard, overnight research polysomnography.

RESULTS

The apnea-hypopnea index for all infants was 0. Respiratory arousal index was significantly correlated with MDI. Snoring-associated arousals accounted exclusively for this relationship; spontaneous arousals and those that were associated with central apnea and oxyhemoglobin desaturation episodes (> or =4%) were not significantly correlated with MDI. Living in a smoking household was not significantly associated with the presence of objectively recorded snoring but was associated with an increase in arousal frequency in snoring infants.

CONCLUSIONS

Infants with lower scores on a standardized mental development assessment had higher snoring-arousal indices. Because neither apnea nor hypopnea was present, these findings constitute additional evidence that snoring is not just an innocent noise during sleep in infants but may in fact represent the lower end of the disease spectrum associated with sleep-disordered breathing. Secondhand exposure to cigarette smoke may increase the deleterious effects of infant snoring.

Increases in overweight after adenotonsillectomy in overweight children with obstructive sleep-disordered breathing are associated with decreases in motor activity and hyperactivity

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effect of adenotonsillectomy (T&A) in children with obstructive sleep-disordered breathing on growth, hyperactivity, and sleep and waking motor activity.

METHODS

We studied 54 children who were aged 6 to 12 years and had adenotonsillar hypertrophy and an obstructive apnea-hypopnea index of > or =1 before and 12 months after they all received adenotonsillectomy (T&A). We measured their height, weight, percentage overweight (patient BMI - BMI at 50th percentile)/BMI at 50th percentile x 100) and obtained a hyperactivity score from parent report on a standardized behavior questionnaire scale. A subset of 21 of these children were also studied for motor activity by wrist actigraphy for 7 consecutive days and nights before and 12 months after T&A.

RESULTS

After T&A, mean obstructive apnea-hypopnea index decreased from 7.6 to 0.6. Height percentile did not change, but weight percentile increased; as a consequence, percentage overweight increased from 32.0% to 36.3%. Hyperactivity scores and total daily motor activity were reduced after T&A. From linear regression, the reduction in hyperactivity scores predicted an increase in percentage overweight. Reduced motor activity was correlated with increased percentage overweight.

CONCLUSIONS

An increase in percentage overweight after T&A in children with obstructive sleep-disordered breathing is correlated to decreased child hyperactivity scores and to decreased measured motor activity in the subset studied. These associations suggest that the increase in overweight may be attributable to reductions in physical activity and fidgeting energy expenditure.

Quality of Life and Sleep Study Findings After Adenotonsillectomy in Children With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

OBJECTIVES

To assess polysomnogram (PSG) results and global and disease-specific quality of life (QOL) in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), before and after adenotonsillectomy, and to assess the association between PSG findings and QOL.

DESIGN

Prospective observational study. We performed overnight PSG using standardized techniques and assessed disease-specific and global QOL using validated instruments. Follow-up was assessed at 1 year. We compared QOL outcomes between children who underwent adenotonsillectomy and children who did not.

SETTING

A large tertiary care children's hospital.

PATIENTS

Children with sleep-disordered breathing who were suspected of having OSA.

INTERVENTION

Adenotonsillectomy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

We evaluated PSG parameters, disease-specific QOL, and global QOL.

RESULTS

We enrolled 47 children, 31 of whom met PSG criteria for OSA. Disease-specific and global QOL were not significantly different between children with OSA and children without. Global QOL was significantly worse for children with OSA than healthy children on several subscales: general health perception, behavior, and parental impact-emotional. Children who underwent adenotonsillectomy had significant improvements in QOL scores and PSG parameters (apnea-hypopnea index, P = .004; minimum saturation, P = .004). We found significantly larger QOL changes in children who underwent surgery compared with children without surgery (subscales: infections, P = .01; airway, P = .002; swallowing, P = .02; and behavior, P = .03). No strong association was identified between QOL scores and PSG parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with OSA and sleep-disordered breathing have significantly worse QOL than healthy children. However, the association between PSG findings and QOL was only moderate. Children with OSA treated with adenotonsillectomy demonstrated large improvements in disease-specific and global QOL as well as PSG parameters.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome in Children

Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea are a frequent problem not only in adults, but also in children and adolescents, as can be seen from current epidemiological data. The epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, and management of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in adults have been adequately established on the basis of evidential data. As a result of this, both physicians and the public are increasingly aware of OSAS in adults. Although there are numerous parallels between pediatric and adult OSAS, the situation in children differs that in adults. There is a greater variety of symptoms in children with OSAS, diagnosis is often more difficult with serious consequences for growth and development of children. Treatment of OSAS in children is also different from that of the adult patient. There are many possible causes for the development of obstructive sleep apnea in children. These include hypertrophy of the tonsils and syndromes such as Down syndrome, Pickwickian syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome or Marfan syndrome. OSAS can, however, also be the result of obesity, midfacial dysplasia, retro- or micrognathia, allergic rhinitis or muscular dystrophy. Epidemiological data presented in the literature concerning the incidence of OSAS in children is extremely varied. This wide range is probably due to the fact that snoring may be misdiagnosed as OSAS. The diagnosis of OSAS in children may only be made by considering clinical history (such as rate of growth, tendency to fall asleep during the day, sleep disturbances, susceptibility to infection, etc.), polysomnography (if possible during several nights) and accompanying instrumental diagnosis including cephalometry or laryngoscopy. One of the problems of polysomnography in childhood is that performance and interpretation of the results have not yet been standardized or evaluated for different age groups. Treatment depends on the cause of OSAS and require multidisciplinary management involving the pediatrician, pediatric or adolescent psychiatrist, ear, nose, and throat specialist, maxillofacial surgeons, and neurosurgeons. Adenotonsillectomy (ATE) is the therapy generally chosen if the child has adenoidal vegetations and/or tonsillar hypertrophy. Corrective surgery is possible for rare malformation syndromes. Nocturnal masks for continuous positive airway nasal pressure or procedures for mask respiration are effective in children, but are only used in exceptional cases, such as when ATE is contraindicated or when symptoms of OSAS remain after surgery. The success of pharmacological treatment of OSAS in children has not been evaluated in controlled clinical trials.

Sleep characteristics following adenotonsillectomy in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effect of adenotonsillectomy on rapid eye movement (REM)- and non-REM-related respiratory and sleep architecture characteristics in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

STUDY DESIGN

This prospective study evaluated 36 children (median age, 6.9 years; range, 1.8 to 12.6 years) with OSAS using polysomnography before and a few months after adenotonsillectomy. Primary outcomes included the number of obstructive apnea and hypopnea and arousals per hour of sleep.

RESULTS

At 4.6 months (range, 1 to 16 months) after adenotonsillectomy, there was a significant improvement of all respiratory parameters. The median respiratory disturbance index (RDI) decreased from 4.1/h (range, 0 to 85/h) to 0.9/h (range, 0 to 13/h) after adenotonsillectomy (p < 0.0001). The median non-REM RDI decreased from 3.0/h (range, 0 to 89/h) to 0.4/h (range, 0 to 13/h) [p < 0.001] as compared with REM RDI, which decreased from 7.8/h (range, 0 to 69/h) to 2.3/h (range, 0 to 54/h) after adenotonsillectomy (p < 0.01). Median arousal index decreased following adenotonsillectomy from 17.5/h (range, 7 to 57/h) to 14.0/h (range, 6 to 47/h) [p < 0.03].

CONCLUSIONS

Adenotonsillectomy resulted in a greater improvement in non-REM RDI as compared with REM-RDI, and a decrease in the number of arousals.

Obstructive sleep apnea in children: an update

The diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea in children requires clinical suspicion supplemented with the use of specific diagnostic tests. Polysomnography remains the key to diagnosis, and helps to assess the need for treatment, the risk for perioperative respiratory compromise, and the likelihood of persistent OSAS after treatment. Adenotonsillectomy is the mainstay of treatment, although children with complex medical conditions that affect upper airway anatomy and tone may require additional treatment.

Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in children: do we really know how?

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a frequent, albeit underdiagnosed problem in children. If left untreated, OSAS may lead to substantial morbidities affecting multiple target organs and systems. The immediate consequences of OSAS in children include behavioral disturbance and learning deficits, pulmonary hypertension, as well as compromised somatic growth. However, if not treated promptly and early in the course of the disease, OSAS may also impose long-term adverse effects on neurocognitive and cardiovascular function, thereby providing a strong rationale for effective treatment of this condition. This review provides a detailed description of the current treatment modalities for pediatric OSAS, and uncovers the potential limitations of the available data on these issues. Furthermore, we postulate that OSAS will persist relatively often after tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, and that critical studies need to be conducted to identify such patients and refine the clinical management algorithm for pediatric OSAS.

Prevalence of tonsillar hypertrophy and associated oropharyngeal symptoms in primary school children in Denizli, Turkey

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of tonsillar hypertrophy and associated oropharyngeal symptoms in primary school children.

METHODS

The study was performed in two primary schools which were chosen randomly in Denizli. Size of the tonsils was evaluated and scored on a five-point scale and weights of children were measured. The mothers or primary caregivers of children were asked to fill a questionnaire that included questions concerning the associated symptoms of tonsillar hypertrophy. The interrelations between tonsillar hypertrophy and other studied items were examined by chi(2) tests.

RESULTS

The study population consisted of 1211 (636 boys, 575 girls) primary school children between 6 and 13 years old (mean 9.3+/-2 years). Prevalence of tonsillar hypertrophy in school children was found as (133) 11% in the school children. There were a statistically significant association between tonsillar hypertrophy and history of frequently having tonsillitis, habitual snoring, observed apnea, oral breathing during sleep and difficulty eating.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of tonsillar hypertrophy was found to be 11% in school children in Denizli, Turkey. Primary school children with tonsillar hypertrophy have signs and symptoms of frequent upper airway infections and upper airway obstruction so they need further evaluation for associated oropharyngeal symptoms of tonsillar hypertrophy.

Indications for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy

OBJECTIVE

To review recent clinical trials that provide a foundation on which clinicians can base decisions regarding adenotonsillar surgery for their patients.

STUDY DESIGN

Review.

METHODS

An evidence-based approach was used to review recent clinical trials addressing indications for adenotonsillectomy, tonsillectomy, and adenoidectomy.

RESULTS

Absolute indications for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy include adenotonsillar hyperplasia with obstructive sleep apnea, failure to thrive, or abnormal dentofacial growth; suspicion of malignant disease; and (for tonsillectomy) hemorrhagic tonsillitis. Relative indications for both procedures are adenotonsillar hyperplasia with upper airway obstruction, dysphagia, or speech impairment, and halitosis. Otitis media and recurrent or chronic rhinosinusitis or adenoiditis are relative indications for adenoidectomy but not tonsillectomy. Recurrent or chronic pharyngotonsillitis, peritonsillar abscess, and streptococcal carriage are relative indications for tonsillectomy but not adenoidectomy.

CONCLUSION

Good clinical evidence regarding indications for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy is available. Clinicians should make recommendations for surgery on the basis of this evidence.

Technical report: diagnosis and management of childhood obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

OBJECTIVE

This technical report describes the procedures involved in developing the recommendations of the Subcommittee on Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome in children. The group of primary interest for this report was otherwise healthy children older than 1 year who might have adenotonsillar hypertrophy or obesity as underlying risk factors of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The goals of the committee were to enhance the primary care clinician's ability to recognize OSAS, identify the most appropriate procedure for diagnosis of OSAS, identify risks associated with pediatric OSAS, and evaluate management options for OSAS.

METHODS

A literature search was initially conducted for the years 1966-1999 and then updated to include 2000. The search was limited to English language literature concerning children older than 2 and younger than 18 years. Titles and abstracts were reviewed for relevance, and committee members reviewed in detail any possibly appropriate articles to determine eligibility for inclusion. Additional articles were obtained by a review of literature and committee members' files. Committee members compiled evidence tables and met to review and discuss the literature that was collected.

RESULTS

A total of 2115 titles were reviewed, of which 113 provided relevant original data for analysis. These articles were mainly case series and cross-sectional studies; overall, very few methodologically strong cohort studies or randomized, controlled trials concerning OSAS have been published. In addition, a minority of studies satisfactorily differentiated primary snoring from true OSAS. Reports of the prevalence of habitual snoring in children ranged from 3.2% to 12.1%, and estimates of OSAS ranged from 0.7% to 10.3%; these studies were too heterogeneous for data pooling. Children with sleep-disordered breathing are at increased risk for hyperactivity and learning problems. The combined odds ratio for neurobehavioral abnormalities in snoring children compared with controls is 2.93 (95% confidence interval: 2.23-3.83). A number of case series have documented decreased somatic growth in children with OSAS; right ventricular dysfunction and systemic hypertension also have been reported in children with OSAS. However, the risk growth and cardiovascular problems cannot be quantified from the published literature. Overnight polysomnography (PSG) is recognized as the gold standard for diagnosis of OSAS, and there are currently no satisfactory alternatives. The diagnostic accuracy of symptom questionnaires and other purely clinical approaches is low. Pulse oximetry appears to be specific but insensitive. Other methods, including audiotaping or videotaping and nap or home overnight PSG, remain investigational. Adenotonsillectomy is curative in 75% to 100% of children with OSAS, including those who are obese. Up to 27% of children undergoing adenotonsillectomy for OSAS have postoperative respiratory complications, but estimates are varied. Risk factors for persistent OSAS after adenotonsillectomy include continued snoring and a high apnea-hypopnea index on the preoperative PSG.

CONCLUSIONS

OSAS is common in children and is associated with significant sequelae. Overnight PSG is currently the only reliable diagnostic modality that can differentiate OSAS from primary snoring. However, the PSG criteria for OSAS have not been definitively validated, and it is not clear that primary snoring without PSG-defined OSAS is benign. Adenotonsillectomy is the first-line treatment for OSAS but requires careful postoperative monitoring because of the high risk of respiratory complications. Adenotonsillectomy is usually curative, but children with persistent snoring (and perhaps with severely abnormal preoperative PSG results) should have PSG repeated postoperatively.

Clinical practice guideline: diagnosis and management of childhood obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

This clinical practice guideline, intended for use by primary care clinicians, provides recommendations for the diagnosis and management of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The Section on Pediatric Pulmonology of the American Academy of Pediatrics selected a subcommittee composed of pediatricians and other experts in the fields of pulmonology and otolaryngology as well as experts from epidemiology and pediatric practice to develop an evidence base of literature on this topic. The resulting evidence report was used to formulate recommendations for the diagnosis and management of childhood OSAS. The guideline contains the following recommendations for the diagnosis of OSAS: 1) all children should be screened for snoring; 2) complex high-risk patients should be referred to a specialist; 3) patients with cardiorespiratory failure cannot await elective evaluation; 4) diagnostic evaluation is useful in discriminating between primary snoring and OSAS, the gold standard being polysomnography; 5) adenotonsillectomy is the first line of treatment for most children, and continuous positive airway pressure is an option for those who are not candidates for surgery or do not respond to surgery; 6) high-risk patients should be monitored as inpatients postoperatively; 7) patients should be reevaluated postoperatively to determine whether additional treatment is required. This clinical practice guideline is not intended as a sole source of guidance in the evaluation of children with OSAS. Rather, it is designed to assist primary care clinicians by providing a framework for diagnostic decision-making. It is not intended to replace clinical judgment or to establish a protocol for all children with this condition and may not provide the only appropriate approach to this problem.

Parent satisfaction 1 year after adenotonsillectomy of their children

BACKGROUND

Tonsillectomy is one of the most frequent as well as one of the most controversial operations performed in childhood.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the expectations of parents before tonsillectomy and to assess their satisfaction 1 year after surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

664 children undergoing (adeno-)tonsillectomy were enrolled in a nation-wide prospective multicenter study. The child's medical history, clinical findings, and indication for tonsillectomy were recorded by the physicians at the time of surgery. The parents were asked to fill out a questionnaire and to list all symptoms from which they expected relief at the time of surgery and to assess the subjective benefit of the surgery 1 year post-operatively. Five-hundred and seventy six of the 664 patients' parents (87%) returned the follow-up questionnaire.

RESULTS

88% of the (adeno-)tonsillectomies were performed because of documented recurrent febrile tonsillitis or obstructive symptoms such as sleep apnea or snoring with restless sleep and daytime irritability. The number of episodes of febrile sore throat dropped from a mean of 6.7 in the year prior to surgery to a mean of 1.5 in the year after surgery (P<0.001). Obstructive symptoms disappeared in 80% of cases, 524 parents (91%) were satisfied with the benefit, 159 parents (28%) regretted not having arranged to have surgery performed earlier.

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that parents assess the outcome of tonsillectomy not with regard to one main symptom (e.g. recurrent sore throat) but with regard to a number of complaints. It also shows a high rate (91%) of parent satisfaction after tonsillectomy. For the indications studied, tonsillectomy remains the treatment of choice and should not be delayed or even denied to those children.

Snoring in Portuguese primary school children

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of snoring and its potential associations with sleep problems, such as daytime symptoms, medical conditions, school performance, and behavioral disturbances in Portuguese children attending primary school.

METHODS

A previously validated questionnaire was sent to the parents of 1381 children attending primary schools in a parish of Coimbra, Portugal. To assess behavioral disturbances, the Portuguese version of Rutter's Children's Behavior Questionnaire for completion by teachers was used.

RESULTS

Of the 988 questionnaires returned (71.5%), complete information concerning snoring was obtained for 976 children (496 girls and 480 boys; mean age: 8.1 +/- 1.5 years). Loud snoring during sleep was reported as frequent or constantly present (LSn) in 84 children (8.6%), as occasionally present in 299 children (30.6%), and as never present (NSn) by 593 children (60.8%). The LSn and NSn groups did not differ with respect to age, gender, sleep duration, time to fall asleep, frequency of night wakings, bedwetting, daytime tiredness, and school achievement. However, LSn was significantly associated with increased bedtime problems (fears and struggles), increased need for comforting activities to fall asleep, behaviors suggestive of parasomnias (sleep talking, teeth grinding, and night terrors), increased daytime sleepiness and irritability, and behavioral disturbances. Children in the LSn group were also more likely to report recurrent medical problems particularly those involving infections of the respiratory tract.

CONCLUSIONS

Snoring is a common symptom in Portuguese children that is associated with behavioral daytime and sleep time disturbances. Children with loud snoring may benefit from early evaluation and intervention.

Doppler echocardiography in adenotonsillar hypertrophy

OBJECTIVE

Adenotonsillar hypertrophy causing upper airway obstruction may lead to the pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale. This study aimed to clarify the diagnostic methods of this complication, besides polysomnography, to find another objective criterion for surgical intervention and to demonstrate the curative effect of adenotonsillectomy on this complication using this objective criterion.

METHODS

We studied the outcomes of 17 children with pulmonary hypertension secondary to the adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Pulmonary arterial pressure measurement was performed noninvasively by Doppler echocardiography.

RESULTS

Mean preoperative pulmonary arterial pressure was 29.12+/-4.41 mmHg and decreased dramatically after relief of upper airway obstruction by adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy to the normal level of 12.06+/-3.09 mmHg. These results were analyzed by equal variances t-test and found very significant (P<0.01). Regarding the symptoms of upper respiratory obstruction, symptom scores of these children decreased very significantly and were analyzed by equal variances t-test (P<0. 01) in the postoperative period. For all the symptoms individually (snoring, mouth-breathing during sleep and daytime, hyponasal voice, restless sleeping, daytime somnolence, enuresis nocturna), comparing percentages of preoperative and postoperative symptoms by unequal variances t-test, we obtained very significant decrease (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

This study illustrates that Doppler echocardiography is a safe, practical and noninvasive-method in diagnosing cardiovascular disturbances--one of the complications of adenotonsillar hypertrophy and especially for measuring the pulmonary arterial pressure. All the symptoms and disorders due to the adenotonsillar hypertrophy may be reversible by performing early adeno- and/or tonsillectomy.

The effect of adenotonsillectomy in children with OSA

Adenotonsillar hypertrophy and abnormal facial morphology are thought to be important for the occurrence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA). We evaluated the effects of adenidectomy and/or tonsillectomy and the relationship between the treatment results and facial morphology in 134 children with OSA. Significant improvements in apnea-hypopnea indes (AHI) and lowest blood oxygen saturation (SaO2) were noted and 78.5% of the patients improved after adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy. Additional operations were needed in two out of 13 cases of the adenoidectomy group and two out of four cases of the adeno-monotonsillectomy group. In the adenotonsillectomy group, the unimproved children tended to have smaller tonsils, narrower epipharyngeal airspace, and more poorly-developed maxillary and mandibular protrusion than the improved children.

Adult obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and tonsillectomy

A surgical cure for adult obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is an attractive alternative to nasal continuous positive airway pressure, but current research suggests that uvulopalatopharyngoplasty is not effective in all patients. No subgroup of these patients, who might benefit from surgery to the oropharynx, has as yet been identified. In this study we examined the results of tonsillectomy either as an isolated procedure or as part of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty in seven patients, who had tonsillomegaly. In all seven there was a short-term improvement between the pre-operative and post-operative apnoea/hypoapnoea (A/H) index (100-65 per cent), which could not be accounted for by change in the body mass index (BMI). In one patient a diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was made from histological examination of the tonsils. The results suggest that adult patients with tonsillomegaly may represent a subgroup of patients with OSAS, who would benefit from surgery aimed at the oropharynx.

Sleep and upper airway obstruction in children with achondroplasia

OBJECTIVE

The features of achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism, includes short cranial base and midface hypoplasia; both abnormalities increased the risk of upper airway obstruction during sleep. The aim of our study was to evaluate sleep and respiratory function of children with achondroplasia and to differentiate central from obstructive apnea. We also wanted to correlate apneic events with foramen magnum stenosis.

STUDY DESIGN

Sixteen children with achondroplasia (mean age, 4.7 years) were studied by noctumal polysomnography and brain computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. A comparison of sleep and respiratory findings was made between the study group and 25 children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy.

RESULTS

The study revealed no significant difference between groups with respect to sleep architecture. We also found no relationship between apnea type and foramen magnum stenosis. Twelve children (75%) with achondroplasia had significant upper airway obstruction during sleep, with symptoms of continuous snoring and periods of brief obstructive apnea, hypopnea, or both. The mean apneahypopnea index (per hour of sleep) did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, the breathing rate during sleep was increased in children with achondroplasia. These findings indicate that the most important breathing disorder during sleep in children with achondroplasia is upper airway obstruction.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that polysomnography with detailed scoring of breathing abnormalities is a useful tool in evaluating sleep-disordered breathing in children with achondroplasia.

Respiratory depression after low-dose caudal morphine

PURPOSE

To report a case of respiratory depression after a small dose of caudal morphine administered to a 15-mo-old child.

CLINICAL FEATURES

A 15 mo, 9.8 kg boy underwent ureteral reimplantation with general endotracheal anaesthesia and 10 ml bupivacaine 0.25% (2.5 mg.kg-1). Ninety minutes after the bupivacaine, 0.4 mg (1 mg.ml-1, 0.4 ml, 0.04 mg.kg-1) preservative-free morphine was injected after negative aspiration. Slightly more than two hours after caudal morphine, the patient became lethargic and developed decreases in oxygen saturation (to 62%) without change in heart rate or respiratory rate. Intravenous naloxone 0.1 mg (0.01 mg.kg-1) markedly improved his level of consciousness. Racemic epinephrine was administered for treatment of coincident stridor. The patient required 11 hr continuous naloxone infusion (0.001-0.002 mg.kg-1.hr-1) in the intensive care unit. He was discharged on the second postopertive day without further complication.

CONCLUSION

Respiratory depression can occur in children greater than one year of age, even when small doses of caudal morphine are used. Decreased arterial oxygen saturation and lethargy are important heralds. A normal respiratory rate despite substantial hypoxaemia argues that pulse oximetry (without supplemental oxygen where possible) has a clear advantage over impedance pneumography for electronic monitoring.

An unusual reason for obstructive sleep apnea in a boy with hemophilia B: supraglottic papilloma

An unusual cause of obstructive sleep apnea in a boy with hemophilia B who was urgently intubated during the night because of suspected bleeding into the airway is analysed. The cause of airway obstruction was a floating papilloma hanging from false cord. At inspirium the tumor was moving immediately above the vocal cords. This was manifested during sleep by noisy snoring and numerous apneic pauses. When the child was awake he had no respiratory problems. After the tumor was removed, the boy breathed freely during sleep. However, the papillomas recur in various parts of the larynx and repeated surgical treatment by factor IX replacement: therapy is necessary.