Time-Course Evaluation of Body Mass Index in Japanese Children With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome After Adenotonsillectomy: A Three-Years Follow-Up Study

Abstract

Delayed physical growth is a common complication of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Adenotonsillectomy (AT) is the first-line treatment for pediatric OSAS. Only a few studies have performed time-course BMI evaluation in pediatric OSAS patients post-operatively. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the time-course changes in pediatric OSAS patients after AT. Thirty-three children with OSAS who underwent AT were included and divided into two groups on the basis of their BMI z-scores (delayed physical growth group, n = 15; non-delayed physical growth group, n = 18). Clinical records of height and weight were collected before AT and at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months after AT. Changes in the mean BMI z-scores of the two groups were assessed up to 36 months. The mean BMI z-score was significantly increased in the delayed physical growth group at 6 months after AT. In contrast, the increase in mean BMI z-score was not observed in the non-delayed physical growth group. Growth improvement was noted in pediatric OSAS patients with delayed physical growth after AT. Our results suggest that AT is a promising therapy for improving the physical growth of pediatric OSAS patients with such problems.

Alterations in Inflammatory Markers and Cognitive Ability after Treatment of Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea

“…Obesity exacerbates the effects of adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ADH), a common childhood condition that is a risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea. A change in BMI z-score is significant in pediatric OSA following AT, which suggests the valuable effect of this line of treatment [ 5 ]. The mechanisms that mediate the neurocognitive consequences of pediatric OSA includes intermittent hypoxia, arousal and sleep fragmentation besides the evolving role of a molecular basis responsible for end-organ damage including many recently studied biomarkers as plasma insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) plasma IL-6 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein urinary neurotransmitters urinary catecholamines, taurine and GABA [ 6 ].…”