Comparison of treatment modalities in syndromic children with obstructive sleep apnea--a randomized cohort study

Treatment of OSA and its Impact on Cardiovascular Disease, Part 2: JACC State-of-the-Art Review

Many studies have shown an association of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with incident cardiovascular diseases, particularly when comorbid with insomnia, excessive sleepiness, obesity hypoventilation syndrome, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated that treatment of OSA with positive airway pressure devices (CPAP) improves systemic hypertension, particularly in those with resistant hypertension who are adherent to CPAP. However, large RCTs have not shown long-term benefits of CPAP on hard cardiovascular outcomes, but post hoc analyses of these RCTs have demonstrated improved hard outcomes in those who use CPAP adequately. In theory, low CPAP adherence and patient selection may have contributed to neutral results in intention-to-treat analyses. Only by further research into clinical, translational, and basic underlying mechanisms is major progress likely to continue. This review highlights the various treatment approaches for sleep disorders, particularly OSA comorbid with various other disorders, the potential reasons for null results of RCTs treating OSA with CPAP, and suggested approaches for future trials.

What are the experiences of non-invasive ventilation for sleep-disordered breathing in children and young people and what outcomes matter? Perspectives of children and young people, their parents and the staff who care for them

BACKGROUND

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) for sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in children and young people (CYP) can result in multiple health outcomes; however, adherence to NIV can be challenging. Suboptimally treated SDB may increase the risk of adverse consequences. Placing children's and parents' goals at the core of their SDB treatment may support adherence to NIV. To identify these health outcomes, it is necessary to gain a greater understanding of CYP's experiences of using NIV, whether they perceive any benefits from NIV use, as well as the outcomes that their parents and NIV staff identify as important.

METHODS

Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with nine CYP (aged 4-16 + years), 13 parents and nine healthcare professionals (HCPs); verbatim transcripts were analysed using Framework Analysis.

RESULTS

CYP predominantly reported an improvement in levels of energy, focus and ability to concentrate whereas parents also identified outcomes of mood and behaviour. The majority of children showed understanding of the reasons for being prescribed NIV. A subset of children did not notice their SDB. The health outcomes identified by HCPs and parents that could result from improved overnight gas exchange are subjective measures that rely on parent and child report. Measuring these health outcomes focussed on the impact of improved sleep rather than measuring improved sleep itself.

CONCLUSIONS

It is important for HCPs administering NIV to ascertain whether CYP have noticed any of their sleep-disordered breathing symptoms and any improvements from using NIV, including the relationship between benefits and side effects. Focussing on promoting understanding for CYP who are unable to link their wellbeing to their previous night's sleep may be futile and HCP strategies should concentrate on the process of tolerating the device. Parents, CYP and HCPs should collaborate to identify treatment goals specifically tailored for the child and monitor any progress against these goals.

Sleep-disordered breathing in children and adults with intellectual disability: mind the gap!

BACKGROUND

In adults and children with intellectual disability (ID), sleep -disordered breathing (SDB) is thought to be common. However, large epidemiological studies are lacking, and there are few studies on optimal methods of investigation and even fewer randomised, controlled intervention trials of treatment.

METHOD

Peer-reviewed publications from various databases were examined in line with search terms relevant to ID and SDB spanning the years 200-2024.

RESULTS

Findings suggest that, due to comorbid conditions, children and adults with ID may experience both an increased risk of SDB, as well as lower frequency of diagnosis. SDB can compromise the emotional, physical and mental health of individuals with ID. Appropriate treatment when tolerated leads to an improvement in health and well-being and several studies emphasized the importance of consistent follow-up of people with ID - something that is not universally occurring during childhood, in the transition to adulthood and during adulthood itself. As the most frequently occurring form of ID worldwide, we use Down syndrome as a specific example of how diagnosing and treating SDB can lead to improved outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

This review highlights the importance of identifying SDB in this heterogenous population, recognising the multi-faceted, deleterious consequences of untreated SDB in people with ID, and presents some strategies that can be harnessed to improve diagnosis and management. Until further ID-specific research is available, we urge flexibility in the approach to people with ID and SDB based in guidelines and standard practice developed for the typically developing population.

Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Associated Comorbidities among Preschool-Aged Children with Down Syndrome

Children with Down syndrome (DS) are at high risk of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a polysomnogram (PSG) in children with DS prior to the age of 4. This retrospective study examined the frequency of SDB, gas exchange abnormalities, co-morbidities, and surgical management in children with DS aged 2-4 years old at Seattle Children's Hospital from 2015-2021. A total of 153 children underwent PSG, with 75 meeting the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 3.03 years (SD 0.805), 56% were male, and 54.7% were Caucasian. Comorbidities included (n, %): cardiac (43, 57.3%), dysphagia or aspiration (24, 32.0%), prematurity (17, 22.7%), pulmonary (16, 21.3%), immune dysfunction (2, 2.7%), and hypothyroidism (23, 30.7%). PSG parameter data collected included (mean, SD): obstructive AHI (7.9, 9.4) and central AHI (2.4, 2.4). In total, 94.7% met the criteria for pediatric OSA, 9.5% met the criteria for central apnea, and 9.5% met the criteria for hypoventilation. Only one child met the criteria for hypoxemia. Overall, 60% had surgical intervention, with 88.9% of these being adenotonsillectomy. There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of OSA at different ages. Children aged 2-4 years with DS have a high frequency of OSA. The most commonly encountered co-morbidities were cardiac and swallowing dysfunction. Among those with OSA, more than half underwent surgical intervention, with improvements in their obstructive apnea hypopnea index, total apnea hypopnea index, oxygen saturation nadir, oxygen desaturation index, total arousal index, and total sleep duration. This highlights the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Our study also suggests that adenotonsillar hypertrophy is still a large contributor to upper airway obstruction in this age group.

Efficacy and safety of adenotonsillectomy in the management of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in children with Down syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is commonly observed in children with Down syndrome (DS) and may affect their physical and psychological development. Currently, adenotonsillectomy is the first line treatment option for paediatric patients with OSA. However, surgical outcomes for such patients are not satisfactory. In this study, we analysed the efficacy and safety of adenotonsillectomy in the treatment of children with obstructive sleep apnea and Down syndrome. We systematically searched the PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and the Cochrane databases and pooled data from nine relevant studies involving 384 participants. Subsequently, we analysed four outcomes in polysomnography, namely: net postoperative changes in the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), the minimum oxygen saturation, sleep efficiency, and arousal index. Meta-analysis of the AHI showed a decrease of 7.18 events/h [95% CI (-9.69, -4.67) events/h; p < 0.00001] and an increase in the minimum oxygen saturation of 3.14% [95% CI (1.44, 4.84) %; p = 0.0003]. There was no significant increase in sleep efficiency [MD 1.69%, 95% CI (-0.59, 3.98) %; p = 0.15], but the arousal index significantly decreased by -3.21 events/hour [95% CI (-6.04, -0.38) events/h; p < 0.03]. In addition, the overall success rate was 16% (95% CI, 12%-21%) for postoperative AHI < 1 and 57% (95% CI, 51%-63%) for postoperative AHI <5. The postoperative complications recorded included airway obstruction and bleeding. This study demonstrated the efficacy of adenotonsillectomy as a treatment option for OSA. However, it is important to note that residual OSA and potential postoperative complications require further attention in future studies.

An Overview of Systematic Reviews on the Surgical Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Background

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder marked by partial or total obstruction of the upper airway while a person is asleep leading to breathing difficulty, reduced oxygenation and frequent awakenings. This condition affects the general health significantly compromising quality of life. The objective of this overview  is to thoroughly assess the systematic reviews on current surgical therapies for the management of OSA in terms of patient outcomes.

Methods

A thorough literature search was performed from inception till 31st December 2022 using PubMed, and Cochrane databases. Studies evaluating the effectiveness and safety of different surgical techniques for the management of OSA were considered. The quality of articles was assessed using AMSTAR (A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews) and Glenny et al. checklist.

Results

Out of eighteen studies, only seven studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results showed that the majority of studies were in the pediatric age group except one systematic  review which assessed the adult age group.

Conclusion

None of the published articles had compared all surgical procedures based on the standard evaluating procedure nor followed all reporting guidelines in the primary studies. For better implementation, further multi center studies are warranted with unique reporting criteria and guidelines about pre- as well as post-operative phases. Future research should concentrate on contrasting strategies, combination therapies, and evaluating long-term effects.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12663-023-02051-x.

Adherence to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy in Pediatric Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Meta-Analysis

Introduction

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a public health problem that affects children. Although continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is effective, the CPAP adherence rate in children is varied. This study aimed to evaluate the CPAP adherence rate and factors associated with CPAP adherence in children with OSA using a systematic review.

Methods

The inclusion criteria were observational studies conducted in children with OSA and assessed adherence of CPAP using objective evaluation. The literature search was performed in four databases. Meta-analysis using fixed-effect model was conducted to combine results among included studies.

Results

In all, 34 studies that evaluated adherence rate and predictors of CPAP adherence in children with OSA were included, representing 21,737 patients with an average adherence rate of 46.56%. There were 11 calculations of factors predictive of CPAP adherence: age, sex, ethnicity, body mass index, obesity, income, sleep efficiency, the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), severity of OSA, residual AHI, and lowest oxygen saturation level. Three different factors were linked to children with adherence and non-adherence to CPAP: age, body mass index, and AHI.

Conclusion

The CPAP adherence rate in children with OSA was 46.56%. Young age, low body mass index, and high AHI were associated with acceptable CPAP adherence in children with OSA.

Epigenetic Regulation of Obesity-Associated Type 2 Diabetes

Obesity is becoming more widespread, and epidemics of this condition are now considered present in all developed countries, leading to public health concerns. The dramatic increases in obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and related vascular difficulties are causing a public health crisis. Thus, it is imperative that these trends are curbed. Understanding the molecular underpinnings of these diseases is crucial to aiding in their detection or even management. Thus, understanding the mechanisms underlying the interactions between environment, lifestyle, and genetics is important for developing effective strategies for the management of obesity. The focus is on finding the vital role of epigenetic changes in the etiology of obesity. Genome and epigenome-wide approaches have revealed associations with T2DM. The epigenome indicates that there is a systematic link between genetic variants and environmental factors that put people at risk of obesity. The present review focuses on the epigenetic mechanism linked with obesity-associated T2DM. Although the utilization of epigenetic treatments has been discussed with reference to certain cancers, several challenges remain to be addressed for T2DM.

Effects of Treatment of Sleep Disordered Breathing on Sleep Macro- and Micro-Architecture in Children with Down Syndrome

Background: Children with Down syndrome (DS) are at increased risk of obstructive sleep disordered breathing (SDB), which is associated with intermittent hypoxia and sleep disruption affecting daytime functioning. We aimed to examine the effects of treatment of SDB on sleep quality and daytime functioning in children with DS. Methods: Children with DS and SDB (n = 24) completed a baseline and follow-up overnight polysomnographic (PSG) study 22 ± 7 months (mean ± SD) later. Sleep micro-architecture was assessed using EEG spectral analysis, and parents completed a number of questionnaires assessing sleep, behavior, daytime functioning, and quality of life (QOL). Results: A total of nine children (38%) were treated. At baseline, the treated group had more severe SDB compared to the untreated group. SDB severity was significantly improved from 40.3 ± 46.9 events/h to 17.9 ± 26.9 events/h (p < 0.01) at follow up in children who were treated. There were no significant differences in sleep macro-architecture parameters from baseline to follow up in either the treated or untreated group. Sleep micro-architecture was not different between studies in the treated group, however this tended to improve in the untreated group, particularly in REM sleep. Daytime functioning and behavior were not different between the studies in either group, however, QOL improved after treatment. Conclusions: Our study identified that treatment of SDB improves severity of the disease as defined by PSG, and this was associated with parental reports of improved QOL, despite treatment having no demonstrable impacts on sleep quality, behavior, or daytime functioning.

ERS Statement on pediatric long term noninvasive respiratory support

Long term noninvasive respiratory support, comprising continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and noninvasive ventilation (NIV), in children is expanding worldwide, with increasing complexities of children being considered for this type of ventilator support and expanding indications such as palliative care. There have been improvements in equipment and interfaces. Despite growing experience, there are still gaps in a significant number of areas: there is a lack of validated criteria for CPAP/NIV initiation, optimal follow-up and monitoring; weaning and long term benefits have not been evaluated. Therapeutic education of the caregivers and the patient is of paramount importance, as well as continuous support and assistance, in order to achieve optimal adherence. The preservation or improvement of the quality of life of the patient and caregivers should be a concern for all children treated with long term CPAP/NIV. As NIV is a highly specialised treatment, patients are usually managed by an experienced pediatric multidisciplinary team. This Statement written by experts in the field of pediatric long term CPAP/NIV aims to emphasize on the most recent scientific input and should open up to new perspectives and research areas.

Treatment Considerations for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Pediatric Down Syndrome

Children with Down syndrome (DS) are at high risk for developing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) compared to children without DS. The negative impact of OSA on health, behavior, and cognitive development in children with DS highlights the importance of timely and effective treatment. Due to the higher prevalence of craniofacial and airway abnormalities, obesity, and hypotonia in patients with DS, residual OSA can still occur after exhausting first-line options. While treatment commonly includes adenotonsillectomy (AT) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, additional therapy such as medical management and/or adjuvant surgical procedures need to be considered in refractory OSA. Given the significant comorbidities secondary to untreated OSA in children with DS, such as cardiovascular and neurobehavioral consequences, more robust randomized trials in this patient population are needed to produce treatment guidelines separate from those for the general pediatric population of otherwise healthy children with OSA. Further studies are also needed to look at desensitization and optimization of CPAP use in patients with DS and OSA.

Who is using noninvasive ventilation? A descriptive study examining the population enrolled in a pediatric noninvasive ventilation program

DESIGN AND METHODS

This study used a retrospective design and involved reviewing the charts of infants and children enrolled in the noninvasive ventilation (NIV) program at a quaternary pediatric hospital located in Western Canada in 2017. Demographic and clinical variables were collected, along with variables related to adherence to NIV therapy. For data storage and analysis purposes, a comprehensive database was created. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze and better understand patterns within the data.

RESULTS

Findings included a comprehensive description of the population of infants and children enrolled in this NIV program in 2017, including demographic and clinical variables as well as follow-up and adherence data. This study identified that the NIV program at this pediatric center has unique characteristics which provide an exciting opportunity for further research into the population that requires NIV support.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

This study presents new knowledge, gathered by examining the clinical characteristics of a pediatric population that requires NIV, which can be used to inform practice, support NIV program planning, and health resource allocation, as well as suggest directions for future research on pediatric NIV therapy.

Evaluation of sleep-disordered breathing and its relationship with respiratory parameters in children with mucopolysaccharidosis Type IVA and VI

The aims of the study were to evaluate the prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) by using polysomnography (PSG) in children with MPS IVA and MPS VI who underwent enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) and to analyze the effect on SDB of having upper airway surgery, pulmonary functions, and exercise capacity. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with MPS IVA (n:17) and MPS VI (n:11) aged under 19 years who underwent polysomnography. Descriptive and nonparametric analyses were performed for demographic, PSG, pulmonary function and exercise capacity variables. The frequency of sleep apnea in the study sample was 85.7% (24/28). Four patients (14.3%) had no sleep apnea, 15 (53.6%) had mild, and nine (32.1%) had moderate-to-severe sleep apnea. Two patients (7.1%) had central sleep apnea and 22 had obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) (78.6%). Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were negatively correlated to apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) (r = -0.594, p = .009; r = -0.636, p = .005, respectively). Despite ERT and previous upper airway surgery, the prevalence of OSA was high in patients with MPS IVA-MPS IV, emphasizing the importance of PSG screening for sleep disorders. Pulmonary function tests may be useful for predicting sleep apnea in patients with MPS IVA and MPS VI.

Surgical versus Non-Surgical Management of Obstructive Sleep-disordered Breathing in Children: A Meta-analysis

Background:

Obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (OSDB) is a term for several chronic conditions in which partial or complete cessation of breathing occurs many times throughout the night, resulting in fatigue or daytime sleepiness that interferes with a person’s functions and reduces the quality of life.

Objective:

Comparing the effectiveness of surgical versus non-surgical treatment of OSDB in children in clinical trials through a meta-analysis study.

Patients and Methods:

A number of available studies and abstracts concerning the surgical versus non-surgical treatment of OSDB in children were identified through a comprehensive search of electronic databases. Data were abstracted from every study in the form of a risk estimate and its 95% confidence interval.

Results:

The current study revealed that there was a statistically significant improvement in the surgically treated patients rather than non-surgically treated patients regarding the quality of life.

Conclusion:

The current meta-analysis reports a significant clinical improvement in the surgical (adenotonsillectomy) group as compared to the non-surgical group, in terms of disease specific quality of life, and healthcare utilization in spite of the availability of only one study.

Morbidity and mortality from adenotonsillectomy in children with trisomy 21

OBJECTIVE

Adenotonsillectomy (AT) is common in children with trisomy 21 but outcomes are variable. Therefore, practitioners must have accurate information regarding the risks of the procedure specific to trisomy 21 to help patients weigh the risks and benefits of surgery. The objective of this study was to better characterize morbidity and mortality risk factors from AT in children with trisomy 21.

METHODS

A single-center retrospective chart review of children with trisomy 21 who underwent AT was conducted from 1992 to 2019. The primary outcome was 30-day post-operative complication rate. Secondary outcomes included intraoperative complications, admission duration, emergency department visits, readmissions, reoperation rate and treatment failures.

RESULTS

Two-hundred and fifty one children met study criteria (median age 4.5 years). Seventy-eight patients (31.5%) had a post-operative complication requiring medical intervention, with respiratory issues (42, 53.8%), poor oral intake (29, 37.2%), and bleeding (14, 17.9%) being most common. Postoperatively, 72 patients (28.7%) had a prolonged hospital stay. Sleep disordered breathing (p = 0.003), ASA score >2 (p < 0.001), severe OSA (p = 0.003), preoperative ICU admission (p < 0.001), and aerodigestive comorbidities (p = 0.004) were associated with increased post-operative respiratory complications. No mortalities were identified.

CONCLUSION

This large single institution study evaluating morbidity and mortality following AT in children with trisomy 21 identified a morbidity rate of 31.5%. These findings may improve our ability to anticipate and manage postoperative morbidity in this vulnerable population and facilitate informed discussions with patients and caregivers considering AT.

Predictors of OSA following adenotonsillectomy in children with trisomy 21

OBJECTIVES

Given that 30%-50% of children with trisomy 21 have persistent obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) after adenotonsillectomy, we evaluated whether demographic, clinical and polysomnographic factors predicted persistent OSA and OSA severity after adenotonsillectomy.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

Secondary care hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Retrospective review of 32 children with the diagnosis of trisomy 21 and OSA by polysomnography who underwent adenotonsillectomy, from January 2010 to December 2018.

MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURE

Non-parametric analysis was used to compare pre- and postoperative factors, and regression was used to model persistent OSA and OSA severity.

RESULTS

Thirty-two children were included (17 males, median age 10.00 ± 8.00 years, median body mass index z-score 0.89 ± 1.25). Overall, adenotonsillectomy resulted in a significant improvement in median obstructive apnoea-hypopnoea index (oAHI) from 7.5 ± 8.95 to 4.40 ± 4.38 events per hour (P < .001) and in median OSA-18 score from 85.00 ± 12.00 to 61.00 ± 37.75 (P < .001). Persistent OSA was found in 56.25% of the children. Univariate regression suggests that postoperative OSA-18 score was associated with persistent OSA after adenotonsillectomy. Preoperative oAHI, preoperative oxygen desaturation index, pre- and postoperative OSA-18 scores correlated with OSA severity after adenotonsillectomy. However, in a multivariate model only the postoperative OSA-18 score correlated with OSA severity after adenotonsillectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Although adenotonsillectomy results in a significant improvement of OSA in children with trisomy 21, more than half of the children had persistent OSA. The postoperative OSA-18 score was associated both with persistent OSA and OSA severity after adenotonsillectomy.

Management of paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) affects many children, and adenotonsillar hypertrophy is the most common cause of paediatric OSA.

AIM

Despite the growing treatment options, there is no comprehensive comparison of all interventions. We aimed to compare and rank the effectiveness of various treatments in a network meta-analysis.

DESIGN

Literature was searched from inception to 13 May 2018 for paediatric OSA with adenotonsillar hypertrophy. The outcomes were the changes in apnoea-hypopnea index (AHI), oxyhaemoglobin desaturation index (ODI), and lowest arterial oxygen saturation (SaO₂ ). Frequentist approach to network meta-analysis was used. Treatment hierarchy was summarized according to the surfaces under the cumulative ranking curves.

RESULTS

Fourteen trials comprising 1064 paediatric OSA participants evaluating ten interventions (adenotonsillectomy, adenotonsillectomy + pharyngoplasty, adenotonsillotomy, antimicrobial therapy, steroids, leukotriene receptor antagonists [LTRAs], steroids + LTRAs, rapid maxillary expansion [RME], placebo, and no treatment) were identified for network meta-analysis. In terms of effectiveness in AHI reduction, surgical approach was still the most effective intervention than no treatment. RME was one of the most effective interventions to improve lowest SaO₂ . No comparisons showed statistical significance in reducing ODI.

CONCLUSIONS

Irrespective of the intervention used, complete resolution of OSA was not achieved in most trials.

The spectrum of obstructive sleep apnea in infants and children with Down Syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Describe the spectrum of OSA across time in infants and children with Down syndrome.

METHODS

Retrospective records review of children who underwent formal polysomnography (PSG) in one of two Australian tertiary sleep centres over selected 3.5-year periods. 152 children were identified, then all sleep study and treatment records were retrieved for the lifetime of the child through 2018.

RESULTS

3.8 ± 3.2 studies (range 1-17) were retrieved per child and 38.2% had mild disease at worst. Children having only 1 study were more likely to have a normal or mild result than those having ≥2 (chi-square 11.25, p-value 0.0008) Studies were more often severe in children age <2 compared to those ≥2 years, (chi-square 12.87, p = 0.005). After age 2 years, OSA severity increased with age. Amongst 91 (56.4%) children with ≥2 studies, 71 (78.0%) had moderate or severe disease at some time. Studies evaluating the effects of surgery (most often adenotonsillectomy) showed resolution of disease to mild or normal in 53.3%. Where ≥2 studies were evaluated, the last study polarised towards normal or mild disease 40 (44.0%), or treatment titrations 34 (37.4%) with moderate or severe disease in 17 (18.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

In a tertiary sleep unit, a full spectrum of sleep disordered breathing in Down syndrome was seen from infancy onwards. Children having only one study were more likely to have normal results. Children with multiple studies reflected disease surveillance, including follow-up after treatment interventions.

Long Term Continuous Positive Airway Pressure and Non-invasive Ventilation in Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children With Obesity and Down Syndrome

This review will focus on non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to obesity and underlying syndromes. These children have a high prevalence of OSA and residual OSA after adenotonsillectomy. Therefore, a high proportion of these children are treated with CPAP or NIV. This review will focus on treatment selection tools and will subsequently cover specific issues on CPAP treatment in obese and syndromic children with a major focus on Down syndrome.

Scoping review of symptoms in children with rare, progressive, life-threatening disorders

BACKGROUND

Q3 conditions are progressive, metabolic, neurological or chromosomal childhood conditions without a cure. Children with these conditions face an unknown lifespan as well as unstable and uncomfortable symptoms. Clinicians and other healthcare professionals are challenged by a lack of evidence for symptom management for these conditions.

AIMS

In this scoping review, we systematically identified and mapped the existing literature on symptom management for children with Q3 conditions. We focused on the most common and distressing symptoms, namely alertness, behavioural problems, bowel incontinence, breathing difficulties, constipation, feeding difficulties, sleep disturbance, temperature regulation, tone and motor problems and urinary incontinence. For children with complex health conditions, good symptom management is pertinent to ensure the highest possible quality of life.

METHODS

Scoping review. Electronic database searches in Ovid MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL and a comprehensive grey literature search.

RESULTS

We included 292 studies in our final synthesis. The most commonly reported conditions in the studies were Rett syndrome (n=69), followed by Cornelia de Lange syndrome (n=25) and tuberous sclerosis (n=16). Tone and motor problems were the most commonly investigated symptom (n=141), followed by behavioural problems (n=82) and sleep disturbance (n=62).

CONCLUSION

The evidence for symptom management in Q3 conditions is concentrated around a few conditions, and these studies may not be applicable to other conditions. The evidence is dispersed in the literature and difficult to access, which further challenges healthcare providers. More research needs to be done in these conditions to provide high-quality evidence for the care of these children.

Outcomes in children with down syndrome and mild obstructive sleep apnea treated non-surgically

OBJECTIVES

Nasal steroids, oral anti-leukotrienes and supplemental oxygen are effective in the treatment of mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in otherwise healthy children. However, their efficacy is unknown in children with Down syndrome (DS). Here we examine the effect of single medication therapy versus observation versus oxygen on polysomnographic outcomes in these children.

METHODS

We reviewed children (<18 years) diagnosed with DS and mild OSA (obstructive apnea-hypopnea index [oAHI] ≥1 to <5 events/hour) treated non-surgically (with supplemental oxygen, one medication, or observation) between 2012 and 2017. Demographic data, comorbid diagnoses, and pre- and posttreatment polysomnograms were analyzed. We assessed pre- and posttreatment oAHI, oxyhemoglobin saturation nadir, percent total sleep time (%TST) in rapid eye movement (REM), and end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO₂ ) >50 mmHg.

RESULTS

Twenty-four children met inclusion criteria; 10 treated with medication, one with oxygen, and 13 with observation (baseline oAHI was 3.5, 3.3, and 2.9 events/hour, respectively). There was no significant change in oAHI, oxyhemoglobin saturation nadir, ETCO₂ , or percent TST in REM after treatment for any treatment group (P = .21-.94). There was no association between reported symptoms and AHI severity or change in AHI. OSA resolved in one patient treated with observation and two treated with medication, but worsened in two each in the medication and observation groups. Resolution of OSA occurred in 20% treated with medication, 7.7% with observation, and 0% with oxygen (P = .82).

CONCLUSION

In our cohort, resolution of mild OSA was low. This suggests that consideration should be given to multimodality treatments in children with DS and mild OSA. Prospective studies will help establish effectiveness in this cohort.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 130:1828-1835, 2020.

Recommendations for the management of MPS IVA: systematic evidence- and consensus-based guidance

INTRODUCTION

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) IVA or Morquio A syndrome is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder (LSD) caused by deficiency of the N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfatase (GALNS) enzyme, which impairs lysosomal degradation of keratan sulphate and chondroitin-6-sulphate. The multiple clinical manifestations of MPS IVA present numerous challenges for management and necessitate the need for individualised treatment. Although treatment guidelines are available, the methodology used to develop this guidance has come under increased scrutiny. This programme was conducted to provide evidence-based, expert-agreed recommendations to optimise management of MPS IVA.

METHODS

Twenty six international healthcare professionals across multiple disciplines, with expertise in managing MPS IVA, and three patient advocates formed the Steering Committee (SC) and contributed to the development of this guidance. Representatives from six Patient Advocacy Groups (PAGs) were interviewed to gain insights on patient perspectives. A modified-Delphi methodology was used to demonstrate consensus among a wider group of healthcare professionals with experience managing patients with MPS IVA and the manuscript was evaluated against the validated Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) instrument by three independent reviewers.

RESULTS

A total of 87 guidance statements were developed covering five domains: (1) general management principles; (2) recommended routine monitoring and assessments; (3) disease-modifying interventions (enzyme replacement therapy [ERT] and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation [HSCT]); (4) interventions to support respiratory and sleep disorders; (5) anaesthetics and surgical interventions (including spinal, limb, ophthalmic, cardio-thoracic and ear-nose-throat [ENT] surgeries). Consensus was reached on all statements after two rounds of voting. The overall guideline AGREE II assessment score obtained for the development of the guidance was 5.3/7 (where 1 represents the lowest quality and 7 represents the highest quality of guidance).

CONCLUSION

This manuscript provides evidence- and consensus-based recommendations for the management of patients with MPS IVA and is for use by healthcare professionals that manage the holistic care of patients with the intention to improve clinical- and patient-reported outcomes and enhance patient quality of life. It is recognised that the guidance provided represents a point in time and further research is required to address current knowledge and evidence gaps.

Recommendations for the management of MPS VI: systematic evidence- and consensus-based guidance

Introduction

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) VI or Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome (253200) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder caused by deficiency in N-acetylgalactosamine-4-sulfatase (arylsulfatase B). The heterogeneity and progressive nature of MPS VI necessitates a multidisciplinary team approach and there is a need for robust guidance to achieve optimal management. This programme was convened to develop evidence-based, expert-agreed recommendations for the general principles of management, routine monitoring requirements and the use of medical and surgical interventions in patients with MPS VI.

Methods

26 international healthcare professionals from various disciplines, all with expertise in managing MPS VI, and three patient advocates formed the Steering Committee group (SC) and contributed to the development of this guidance. Members from six Patient Advocacy Groups (PAGs) acted as advisors and attended interviews to ensure representation of the patient perspective. A modified-Delphi methodology was used to demonstrate consensus among a wider group of healthcare professionals with expertise and experience managing patients with MPS VI and the manuscript has been evaluated against the validated Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) instrument by three independent reviewers.

Results

A total of 93 guidance statements were developed covering five domains: (1) general management principles; (2) recommended routine monitoring and assessments; (3) enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT); (4) interventions to support respiratory and sleep disorders; (5) anaesthetics and surgical interventions. Consensus was reached on all statements after two rounds of voting. The greatest challenges faced by patients as relayed by consultation with PAGs were deficits in endurance, dexterity, hearing, vision and respiratory function. The overall guideline AGREE II assessment score obtained for the development of the guidance was 5.3/7 (where 1 represents the lowest quality and 7 represents the highest quality of guidance).

Conclusion

This manuscript provides evidence- and consensus-based recommendations for the management of patients with MPS VI and is for use by healthcare professionals that manage the holistic care of patients with the intention to improve clinical- and patient-reported outcomes and enhance patient quality of life. It is recognised that the guidance provided represents a point in time and further research is required to address current knowledge and evidence gaps.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13023-019-1080-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Sleep-disordered breathing in children with mucolipidosis

Mucolipidosis (ML) is a rare lysosomal storage disorder with a wide spectrum of disease severity according to the type. Sleep-disordered breathing is recognized as a characteristic feature of ML but objective data are scarce. The aim of the study was to describe sleep data and medical management in children with ML α/β. All patients with ML α/β followed at a national reference center of ML were included. Five patients had ML II, one patient had ML III and one patient had ML II-III. One patient was started on noninvasive ventilation (NIV) to allow extubation after prolonged invasive mechanical ventilation. The six other patients underwent sleep study at a median age of 1.8 years (range 4 months-17.4 years). Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was observed in all patients with a median apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 36 events/hr (range 5-52) requiring continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or NIV. CPAP/NIV resulted in an improvement of nocturnal gas exchange and was continued in all patients with an excellent compliance. Two patients died. Systematic sleep studies are recommended at time of diagnosis in ML. CPAP or NIV are effective treatments of OSA, well tolerated, and may contribute to improve the quality of life of patients and caregivers.

Sleep and sleep disordered breathing in children with down syndrome: Effects on behaviour, neurocognition and the cardiovascular system

Down syndrome (DS), the most common human chromosomal malformation, has an estimated annual incidence of one in 1000 live births worldwide. Sleep problems are common in children with DS, reported by parents in up to 65% of school-aged children, significantly higher rates than in typically developing (TD) children. Problems include difficulty in sleep initiation and maintenance together with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) which affects up to over 90%, of DS children compared with 1-5% in the general paediatric population. Any sleep problem has the potential to exert significant negative effects on daytime behaviour, learning and quality of life in TD children and there is now a growing body of evidence that children with DS are similarly affected. In addition to adverse effects on daytime functioning, OSA has adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and this is a particularly significant issue given the high rates of hypertension and premature cardiac disease in people with DS. This review discusses the effects of sleep problems and OSA on daytime functioning and cardiovascular function in children with DS and evidence of the effectiveness of treatment in improving outcomes and quality of life for these children.

Trends in management of obstructive sleep apnea in pediatric patients with Down syndrome

INTRODUCTION

Residual obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) after adenotonsillectomy (T&A) is a common problem in children with Down Syndrome (DS). Our objective was to describe trends in surgical and medical management of OSA in pediatric patients with DS, and to present an algorithmic approach to managing these children.

METHODS

Retrospective case series of children with DS seen at a tertiary care medical center between 1/2008-6/2016 who underwent polysomnography (PSG) after having a T&A performed for sleep disordered breathing (SDB).

RESULTS

Sixty-five patients met inclusion criteria. The mean age at T&A was 4.8 years and 52.0% were male. The mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was 23.2 events/hour for patients who had pre-T&A PSGs. The mean AHI was 10.7 events/hour after T&A. Twenty-three patients (35.4%) underwent at least one additional surgical procedure after T&A; 5 (7.7%) patients had ≥ two additional procedures. The most common additional surgical procedures were revision adenoidectomies (n = 8) and lingual tonsillectomies (n = 13). Fifteen (23.1%) patients underwent at least one drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) to help direct selection of surgical site/s.

CONCLUSIONS

Residual OSA is common after T&A in children with Down syndrome and can be managed by additional surgical interventions in many instances with successful reduction of the AHI. DISE has become part of a standard algorithm for managing persistent OSA in children with Down syndrome after T&A.

Systolic Blood Pressure Elevation in Children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Is Improved with Positive Airway Pressure Use

INTRODUCTION

To evaluate the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment on blood pressure (BP) in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective chart review of children aged 7-17 referred to Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland for the evaluation of snoring. Data collected included age, body mass index (BMI), BP, heart rate, apnea-hypopnea index, and oxygen saturation nadir. Children were divided into 3 groups: snorers, untreated OSA, and OSA treated with CPAP. Seventy-five children were identified, 25 in each group.

RESULTS

There was no difference in age or apnea-hypopnea index among the groups. The CPAP group had higher BMI than the snorers and untreated OSA groups. Systolic BP was higher in the 2 OSA groups compared with the snorers. After CPAP treatment, systolic BP decreased. The BP decrease was significantly greater in patients with higher BMI at baseline. There was no significant change in diastolic BP in the 3 groups.

CONCLUSION

Children with OSA have higher systolic BP than habitual snorers. Treatment with CPAP in children with OSA for 6 months reduced their systolic BP despite a small increase in their BMI.

The effect of tonsillectomy on obstructive sleep apnea: an overview of systematic reviews

OBJECTIVE

Tonsillectomy with adenoidectomy is a combination surgery that has been used to treat pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). For adults, tonsillectomy has also been reported as a primary treatment modality when the tissue is hypertrophied. The objective of this study is to provide an overview of published systematic reviews and meta-analyses of tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy as used in the treatment of OSA in children and adults.

DATA SOURCES

Nine databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE.

REVIEW METHODS

Databases were searched from their inception through July 9, 2017. The PRISMA statement was followed.

RESULTS

More than 20 recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses were identified regarding tonsillectomy as a treatment modality for OSA. There were four articles that addressed tonsillectomy's overall success, efficacy, and complications in otherwise healthy pediatric patients. Three studies evaluated tonsillectomy in obese children, and two specifically examined children with Down syndrome. Only one systematic review and meta-analysis discussed tonsillectomy as a treatment for OSA in the adult population.

CONCLUSION

Tonsillectomy as an isolated treatment modality is rarely performed in pediatric patients with OSA; however, tonsillectomy is commonly performed in combination with adenoidectomy and the combination has demonstrated efficacy as the primary treatment option for most children. In the limited adult data, tonsillectomy alone for OSA has a surprising success rate; yet, more research is required to determine long-term improvement and need for further treatment.

Pathophysiology, evaluation, and management of sleep disorders in the mucopolysaccharidoses

The mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) represent a heterogeneous group of lysosomal storage disorders, each one associated with a deficiency in one of the enzymes involved in glycosaminoglycan degradation. Sleep disorders are a frequent manifestation of all types of MPS. Underlying causes are diverse and comprised of both respiratory and central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities. Sleep disordered breathing such as obstructive sleep apnea and nocturnal hypoventilation can arise in patients with upper airway obstruction and/or with alterations in respiratory mechanics, causing restrictive pulmonary disease. MPS patients with CNS disease can also develop sleep disturbances unrelated to ventilatory impairments, often associated with severe behavioral problems or night-time epileptic seizures. The present review discusses the pathophysiology, evaluation, and management of sleep disorders in MPS based on information from a meeting on the brain in MPS, attended by an international group of experts (April 28-30, 2016, Stockholm, Sweden), and additional literature searches.

The effect of adenotonsillectomy on obstructive sleep apnea in children with Down syndrome. Acta Otolaryngol 2017;137:981-985. [PMID: 28399695 DOI: 10.1080/00016489.2017.1312016]

OBJECTIVE

Children with Down syndrome (DS) are liable to develop obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to many anatomical airway abnormalities. The tonsils and adenoid occupy part of the airway space, and their removal may be helpful in relieving airway obstruction. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of adenotonsillectomy in the treatment of OSA in those children.

METHODS

Fifty DS children with difficult breathing were recruited, and they were subjected to polysomnographic examination (PSG). Patients with apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) > 1 were considered to have OSA. Adenotonsillectomy was performed for patients who had OSA and adenotonsillar hypertrophy, and after 3 months PSG was done for them with recording of the same preoperative parameters.

RESULTS

Forty-three children demonstrated OSA on PSG, and they were included in the study. The preoperative mean AHI was 9.18 (± 6.17) that improved postoperatively to 2.72 (± 3.80) with its normalization in 72% of patients. Also, significant improvement of arousal index, minimum oxygen saturation, desaturation index, and peak end-tidal CO₂ was achieved postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

Adenotonsillectomy is an effective method for the treatment of OSA in children with DS. However, the condition may persist in some children who usually have airway narrowing at multiple levels.

Adenotonsillectomy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Quality of Life: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Objective To determine the impact of adenotonsillectomy on the quality of life of pediatric patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and to identify gaps in the current research. Data Sources The MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were systematically searched via the Ovid portal on June 18, 2016, for English-language articles. Review Methods Full-text articles were selected that studied boys and girls <18 years of age who underwent adenotonsillectomy for OSA or sleep-disordered breathing and that recorded validated, quantitative quality-of-life outcomes. Studies that lacked such measures, performed adenotonsillectomy for indications other than OSA or sleep-disordered breathing, or grouped adenotonsillectomy with other procedures were excluded. Results Of the 328 articles initially identified, 37 were included for qualitative analysis. The level of evidence was generally low. All studies involving short-term follow-up (≤6 months) showed improvement in quality-of-life scores after adenotonsillectomy as compared with preoperative values. Studies involving long-term follow-up (>6 months) showed mixed results. Modifications to and concurrent procedures with conventional adenotonsillectomy were also identified that showed quality-of-life improvements. Three studies were identified for meta-analysis that compared pre- and postoperative Obstructive Sleep Apnea-18 scores. Short- and long-term follow-up versus preoperative scores showed significant improvement ( P < .001). Short- and long-term scores showed no significant difference. Conclusion This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrate adenotonsillectomy's effectiveness in improving the quality of life of pediatric patients with OSA. This is well demonstrated in the short term and has strong indications in the long term.

Postoperative Bleeding and Associated Utilization following Tonsillectomy in Children

Objective To assess posttonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH), associated nonoperative readmissions/revisits, and reoperations in children. Data Sources MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Review Methods Two investigators independently screened studies against predetermined criteria and extracted key data. Investigators independently assessed study risk of bias and the strength of the evidence of the body of literature. We calculated unadjusted pooled estimates of PTH frequency and conducted a Bayesian meta-analysis to estimate frequency of primary and secondary PTH and PTH-associated reoperation and revisits/readmissions by partial and total tonsillectomy and surgical approach. Results In meta-analysis, the frequency of primary and secondary PTH associated with total and partial tonsillectomy was <4% for any technique and with overlapping confidence bounds. Pooled frequencies of PTH were also <5% overall (4.2% for total tonsillectomy, 1.5% for partial tonsillectomy) in comparative studies. Fewer PTH episodes occurred with tonsillectomy for obstructive sleep-disordered breathing than for throat infection. In meta-analysis, frequency of PTH-associated nonoperative revisits/readmission or reoperation ranged from 0.2% to 5.7% for total tonsillectomy and from 0.1% to 3.7% for partial tonsillectomy. At least 4 deaths were reported in case series including 1,778,342 children. Conclusions PTH occurred in roughly 4% of tonsillectomies in studies included in this review. Although studies typically did not report bleeding severity or amount, relatively few episodes of PTH necessitated reoperation for hemostasis. Nonetheless, tonsillectomy is not without risk of harm. Frequency of PTH across techniques was similar; thus, we cannot conclude that a given technique is superior.

Use of Sleep Evaluations and Treatments in Children with Down Syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To characterize practice patterns regarding sleep evaluation and intervention among children with Down syndrome (DS).

METHOD

Data were obtained from electronic health records from 2009 to 2013 for a retrospective cohort of 954 children with DS, aged 5 to 21 years during the time sampled. International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, diagnoses were used to identify children with obstructive sleep apnea and/or behavioral sleep disturbances. Primary outcomes were confirmed by participation in an overnight diagnostic polysomnography (PSG) and/or documented provision of specified sleep interventions including positive airway pressure, otolaryngology (ENT) surgery, sleep medication, and behavioral sleep therapy.

RESULTS

Overall, 47.7% of children with DS had undergone PSG, 39.1% had diagnosed sleep problems, and of those diagnosed with sleep problems, 81.2% had received sleep intervention. Consistent with best practice clinical care, sleep treatments matched the diagnosed sleep problems. Age, gender, and race, but not body mass index (BMI), were associated with PSG completion rate and occurrence rates for ENT surgery and sleep medication usage. BMI was associated with obstructive sleep apnea.

CONCLUSION

Despite high rates of reported sleep problems in children with DS, less than half underwent PSG. Children diagnosed with sleep problems received treatment consistent with their sleep diagnosis. However, age and gender were associated with differential rates of treatment delivery that was incongruous with prevalence rates for diagnosed sleep problems. These findings underscore the importance of screening for sleep problems in children with DS, and referring for and providing appropriate targeted sleep interventions.

Cochrane Corner

The “Cochrane Corner” is a section in the journal that highlights systematic reviews relevant to otolaryngology–head and neck surgery, with invited commentary to aid clinical decision making. This installment features a Cochrane Review on tonsillectomy for obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (oSDB) in children, which finds moderate-quality evidence that surgery improves symptoms, behavior, and quality of life compared to nonsurgical management. The results apply to nonsyndromic children with SDB confirmed by polysomnography and must be balanced against a favorable natural history in many cases.

Tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy versus non-surgical management for obstructive sleep-disordered breathing in children

BACKGROUND

Obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (oSDB) is a condition that encompasses breathing problems when asleep, due to an obstruction of the upper airways, ranging in severity from simple snoring to obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). It affects both children and adults. In children, hypertrophy of the tonsils and adenoid tissue is thought to be the commonest cause of oSDB. As such, tonsillectomy - with or without adenoidectomy - is considered an appropriate first-line treatment for most cases of paediatric oSDB.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the benefits and harms of tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy compared with non-surgical management of children with oSDB.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Register of Studies Online, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Clinicaltrials.gov, ICTRP and additional sources for published and unpublished trials. The date of the search was 5 March 2015.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials comparing the effectiveness and safety of (adeno)tonsillectomy with non-surgical management in children with oSDB aged 2 to 16 years.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used the standard methodological procedures expected by The Cochrane Collaboration.

MAIN RESULTS

Three trials (562 children) met our inclusion criteria. Two were at moderate to high risk of bias and one at low risk of bias. We did not pool the results because of substantial clinical heterogeneity. They evaluated three different groups of children: those diagnosed with mild to moderate OSAS by polysomnography (PSG) (453 children aged five to nine years; low risk of bias; CHAT trial), those with a clinical diagnosis of oSDB but with negative PSG recordings (29 children aged two to 14 years; moderate to high risk of bias; Goldstein) and children with Down syndrome or mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) diagnosed with mild to moderate OSAS by PSG (80 children aged six to 12 years; moderate to high risk of bias; Sudarsan). Moreover, the trials included two different comparisons: adenotonsillectomy versus no surgery (CHAT trial and Goldstein) or versus continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) (Sudarsan). Disease-specific quality of life and/or symptom score (using a validated instrument): first primary outcomeIn the largest trial with lowest risk of bias (CHAT trial), at seven months, mean scores for those instruments measuring disease-specific quality of life and/or symptoms were lower (that is, better quality of life or fewer symptoms) in children receiving adenotonsillectomy than in those managed by watchful waiting:- OSA-18 questionnaire (scale 18 to 126): 31.8 versus 49.5 (mean difference (MD) -17.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) -21.2 to -14.2);- PSQ-SRBD questionnaire (scale 0 to 1): 0.2 versus 0.5 (MD -0.3, 95% CI -0.31 to -0.26);- Modified Epworth Sleepiness Scale (scale 0 to 24): 5.1 versus 7.1 (MD -2.0, 95% CI -2.9 to -1.1).No data on this primary outcome were reported in the Goldstein trial.In the Sudarsan trial, the mean OSA-18 score at 12 months did not significantly differ between the adenotonsillectomy and CPAP groups. The mean modified Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores did not differ at six months, but were lower in the surgery group at 12 months: 5.5 versus 7.9 (MD -2.4, 95% CI -3.1 to -1.7). Adverse events: second primary outcomeIn the CHAT trial, 15 children experienced a serious adverse event: 6/194 (3%) in the adenotonsillectomy group and 9/203 (4%) in the control group (RD -1%, 95% CI -5% to 2%).No major complications were reported in the Goldstein trial.In the Sudarsan trial, 2/37 (5%) developed a secondary haemorrhage after adenotonsillectomy, while 1/36 (3%) developed a rash on the nasal dorsum secondary to the CPAP mask (RD -3%, 95% CI -6% to 12%). Secondary outcomesIn the CHAT trial, at seven months, mean scores for generic caregiver-rated quality of life were higher in children receiving adenotonsillectomy than in those managed by watchful waiting. No data on this outcome were reported by Sudarsan and Goldstein.In the CHAT trial, at seven months, more children in the surgery group had normalisation of respiratory events during sleep as measured by PSG than those allocated to watchful waiting: 153/194 (79%) versus 93/203 (46%) (RD 33%, 95% CI 24% to 42%). In the Goldstein trial, at six months, PSG recordings were similar between groups and in the Sudarsan trial resolution of OSAS (Apnoea/Hypopnoea Index score below 1) did not significantly differ between the adenotonsillectomy and CPAP groups.In the CHAT trial, at seven months, neurocognitive performance and attention and executive function had not improved with surgery: scores were similar in both groups. In the CHAT trial, at seven months, mean scores for caregiver-reported ratings of behaviour were lower (that is, better behaviour) in children receiving adenotonsillectomy than in those managed by watchful waiting, however, teacher-reported ratings of behaviour did not significantly differ.No data on these outcomes were reported by Goldstein and Sudarsan.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

In otherwise healthy children, without a syndrome, of older age (five to nine years), and diagnosed with mild to moderate OSAS by PSG, there is moderate quality evidence that adenotonsillectomy provides benefit in terms of quality of life, symptoms and behaviour as rated by caregivers and high quality evidence that this procedure is beneficial in terms of PSG parameters. At the same time, high quality evidence indicates no benefit in terms of objective measures of attention and neurocognitive performance compared with watchful waiting. Furthermore, PSG recordings of almost half of the children managed non-surgically had normalised by seven months, indicating that physicians and parents should carefully weigh the benefits and risks of adenotonsillectomy against watchful waiting in these children. This is a condition that may recover spontaneously over time.For non-syndromic children classified as having oSDB on purely clinical grounds but with negative PSG recordings, the evidence on the effects of adenotonsillectomy is of very low quality and is inconclusive.Low-quality evidence suggests that adenotonsillectomy and CPAP may be equally effective in children with Down syndrome or MPS diagnosed with mild to moderate OSAS by PSG.We are unable to present data on the benefits of adenotonsillectomy in children with oSDB aged under five, despite this being a population in whom this procedure is often performed for this purpose.

Chromatin Modifications Associated With Diabetes and Obesity

The incidence of obesity across the globe has doubled over the past several decades, leading to escalating rates of diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and other complications. Given this dramatic rise in disease incidence, understanding the cause of these diseases is therefore of paramount importance. Metabolic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes mellitus, result from a multitude of genetic and environmental factors. Although the genetic basis of these diseases has been extensively studied, the molecular pathways whereby environmental factors influence disease progression are only beginning to be understood. One manner by which environmental factors can contribute to disease progression is through modifications to chromatin. The highly structured packaging of the genome into the nucleus through chromatin has been shown to be fundamental to tissue-specific gene regulation. Modifications to chromatin can regulate gene expression and are involved in a myriad of biological functions, and hence, disruption of these modifications is central to many human diseases. These modifications can furthermore be epigenetic in nature, thereby contributing to prolonged disease risk. Recent work has demonstrated that modifications to chromatin are associated with the progression of both diabetes mellitus and obesity, which is the subject of this review.