Pulmonary dysfunction in overweight and obese children with obstructive sleep apnoea

Abstract

Introduction: Overweight and obese children are at risk of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and abnormal pulmonary function (PF).

Aim: Investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI), OSA on PF in children.

Materials & method: Seventy-four children were recruited. Mixed obstructive apnoea-hypopnea index (MOAHI), BMI, oxygen saturation (SpO₂ ), forced expiratory volume one second (FEV₁ ), forced vital capacity (FVC) and fractionated exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) were measured.

Results: Twenty-four and thirty children had mild OSA and moderate-to-severe OSA respectively. BMI correlated negatively with SpO₂ nadir (r = -.363, p = .001). FVC, FEV₁ and nadir SpO₂ values decreased with OSA severity (p < .001). The odds of a child with OSA having an abnormal spirometry was 3.16 (95% CI: 1.08, 9.22). There was significant association between FeNO and AHI (r = .497, <.001).

Discussion: Overweight and obese children with OSA have significant abnormalities in pulmonary function independent of BMI. OSA severity and elevated FeNO also correlated with diminishing lung function.

Keywords: children; cytokines; obesity; obstructive sleep apnoea; overweight; pulmonary function.