Mouth breathing children have cephalometric patterns similar to those of adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Mouth breathing reduces oral function in adolescence

Although humans breathe naturally through the nostrils, mouth breathing in children has recently gathered attention. In this study, we hypothesized that tongue function and its related maxillofacial morphology would affect breathing in adolescence. To verify this hypothesis, we examined the association between breathing patterns, including mouth and nasal breathing; oral functions, including tongue motor function; and craniofacial morphology during adolescence, which has not been investigated till date. C3-H, which indicates the anteroposterior position of the hyoid bone in relation to the third cervical vertebra, was significantly smaller in mouth-breathers than in nasal-breathers. Lip-closing force, tongue pressure, and masticatory efficiency were lower in the order of nasal-breathers, oronasal-breathers, and mouth-breathers, and the values for mouth-breathers were significantly lower than those for nasal-breathers. Tongue pressure alone was identified as a significant independent variable, with an odds ratio of 1.063 (95% confidence interval, 1.006-1.123; p < 0.05). Our results indicate a relationship between mouth breathing and the lip-closing force, tongue pressure, and masticatory efficiency, as well as the significance of tongue pressure on mouth breathing in adolescents. The findings highlight the importance of clarifying the pathophysiology of mouth breathing and its underlying causes.

Correlation of cephalometric variables with obstructive sleep apnea severity among children: a hierarchical regression analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the correlation between cephalometric parameters and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) after controlling gender, body mass index (BMI), and adenoid size in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

METHODS

Sixty-four children with OSA (40 males, 24 females, 8.72 ± 0.899 years) were chosen by simple random sampling for a cross-sectional study from January 2018 to March 2022. They were diagnosed with OSA, assessed by Obstructive Sleep Apnea-18 questionnaire and home polysomnography and underwent lateral cephalograms.

RESULTS

Hierarchical regression analysis indicated that cephalometric parameters (except adenoid size) were associated with OSA severity, explaining 18.1% of the AHI variance. Among cephalometric measurements, AHI was positively associated with H-RGn and N-Go-Me angle (p < 0.05) and negatively associated with NP (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The sagittal diameter of the oropharynx, lower gonial angle, and hyoid position are significant AHI predictors in children with OSA, independent of demographic characteristics and adenoid size.

Three-dimensional evaluation of hyoid bone position in nasal and mouth breathing subjects with skeletal Class I, and Class II

BACKGROUND

This retrospective study investigated the effect of breathing pattern, skeletal class (Class I, Class II), and age on the hyoid bone position (HBP) in normodivergent subjects.

METHODS

A total of 126 subjects (61 males, 65 females) aged 7-9 years and 10-12 years were scanned using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). All participants were classified according to the anteroposterior skeletal pattern into (Class I, Class II). Each skeletal group was further divided according to the breathing mode into mouth breathers (MB) and nasal breathers (NB). The HBP was measured accordingly. Independent sample t-test and Mann Whitney U test were used to detect significant differences between the groups, and binary logistic regression was used to identify MB predictive indicators.

RESULTS

The breathing mode and skeletal class affected the vertical HBP in subjects with 7-9 years, while they affected the anteroposterior HBP in subjects with 10-12 years. Regarding the age effect, hyoid bone was located more anteriorly in the older NB subjects, and hyoid bone was more inferiorly in the older age group. A regression equation of the significant variables was formulated, C3-Me (P: 001, OR: 2.27), and H-EB (P: 0.046, OR: 1.16) were positively correlated with occurrence of MB.

CONCLUSION

There were significantly different HBPs among subjects with different anteroposterior skeletal classes, breathing modes, and age cohorts. Moreover, C3-Me, and H-EB were significant predictors and correlated with increased likelihood of being MB subject.

Effects of mouth breathing on maxillofacial and airway development in children and adolescents with different cervical vertebral maturation stages: a cross-sectional study

Background

To examine the influence of mouth breathing on maxillofacial and airway development in children and adolescents with different cervical vertebral maturation stages.

Methods

Lateral cephalometric radiograph of a total of 120 children and adolescents, 64 girls and 56 boys (7–15 years old), diagnosed with mouth breathing were examined. Maxillofacial hard tissue, soft tissue and airway measurements were obtained using both manual and digital techniques. Independent samples t-test was performed to compare the difference between the measured indexes and the standard values.

Results

As for maxillofacial hard tissue, SNB (CS1–CS5), GoGn (CS1–CS5), ArGoNa (CS1–CS5), ArGo (CS1–CS2) and SNA (CS1–CS2) in mouth breathing children and adolescents were below the standard values (P < 0.05). NGoMe (CS1–CS5), SN-MP (CS1–CS4), SN-PP (CS1–CS4), PP-MP (CS1–CS3) and SN-GoGn (CS1–CS2) in mouth breathing children and adolescents were above the standard values (P < 0.05). As for maxillofacial soft tissue measurements, H angle (CS1–CS5), lower lip length (CS1–CS5), upper lip protrusion (CS1–CS5), upper lip length (CS1–CS4), lower lip protrusion (CS1–CS3), surface Angle (CS2–CS3) and nasolabial angle (CS2) in mouth breathing children and adolescents were above the standard values with statistically significance (P < 0.05). As for airway measurements, PAS (CS1, CS2, CS5) in mouth breathing children and adolescents was above the standard value with statistical significance (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Mouth breathing had a real effect on maxillofacial and airway development, which differed among mouth breathing children and adolescents with different cervical vertebral maturation.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12903-022-02234-x.

Effects of mouth breathing on facial skeletal development in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Mouth breathing is closely related to the facial skeletal development and malocclusion. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the effect of mouth breathing on facial skeletal development and malocclusion in children.

METHODS

An electronic search in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Medline, Web of Science, EMBASE and Sigle through February 23rd, 2020, was conducted. Inclusion criteria were children under 18 years of age with maxillofacial deformities due to mouth breathing. The risk of bias in nonrandomized studies of interventions (ROBINS-I) tool for controlled clinical trials. The Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used for the quality assessment. The included indicators were SNA, SNB, ANB, SN-OP, SN-PP, PP-MP, SNGoGn, MP-H, 1-NA, 1. NA, 1. NB, 1-NB, Overjet, Overbite, SPAS, PAS, and C3-H. Data concerning the mean difference in mesial molar movement and extent of canine retraction were extracted for statistical analysis. The mean differences and 95% confidence intervals were analyzed for continuous data. Review Manager 5.3, was used to synthesize various parameters associated with the impact of mouth breathing on facial skeletal development and malocclusion.

RESULTS

Following full-text evaluations for eligibility, 10 studies were included in the final quantitative synthesis. In Sagittal direction, SNA (MD: - 1.63, P < 0.0001), SNB (MD: - 1.96, P < 0.0001) in mouth-breathing children was lower than that in nasal-breathing children. ANB (MD: 0.90, P < 0.0001), 1. NA (MD: 1.96, P = 0.009), 1-NA (MD: 0.66, P = 0.004), and 1-NB (MD: 1.03, P < 0.0001) showed higher values in children with mouth breathing. In vertical direction, SN-PP (MD: 0.68, P = 0.0050), SN-OP (MD: 3.05, P < 0.0001), PP-MP (MD: 4.92, P < 0.0001) and SNGoGn (MD: 4.10, P < 0.0001) were higher in mouth-breathing individuals. In airway, SPAS (MD: - 3.48, P = 0.0009), PAS (MD: - 2.11, P < 0.0001), and C3-H (MD: - 1.34, P < 0.0001) were lower in mouth breathing group.

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed that the mandible and maxilla rotated backward and downward, and the occlusal plane was steep. In addition, mouth breathing presented a tendency of labial inclination of the upper anterior teeth. Airway stenosis was common in mouth-breathing children. Trial registration crd-register@york.ac.uk, registration number CRD42019129198.

Facial morphological characteristics of mouth breathers vs. nasal breathers: A systematic review and meta-analysis of lateral cephalometric data

The present systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to assess the association between mouth breathing and facial morphological characteristics in children and adolescents. PubMed, Medline, Scopus and Google Scholar databases were searched for cross-sectional case-control studies published between 1^st January 1980 and 1^st April 2019. Studies comparing cephalometric data of mouth breathers and nasal breathers were included, while studies on adults were excluded. Meta-analysis was performed regarding 11 angular and 4 linear measurements. A total of 19 studies were included in the systematic review and data from 18 studies were extracted for the meta-analysis. The results indicated statistically significant decreases in Sella-Nasion-Point A (SNA) angle [mean difference (MD)=-1.33; 95% CI -2.03 to -0.63; P=0.0002] and Sella-Nasion-Point B (SNB) angle of mouth breathers as compared to nasal breathers (MD=-1.33; 95% CI -2.18 to -0.49; P=0.002). There was no difference in Point A-Nasion-Point B (ANB) angle between the two groups (MD=0.25; 95% CI -0.26 to 0.75; P=0.34). Mouth breathers demonstrated an increased mandibular plane angle, total and lower anterior facial height and decreased posterior facial height. Within the limitations of the study, the results indicated that mouth breathers tended to have a retrognathic maxilla and mandible, vertical growth pattern with high mandibular plane angle, downward and backward rotation of the mandible and an increase in total and lower anterior facial height and decrease in posterior facial height. Further high-quality studies are required to strengthen the evidence on this subject.

Prevalence of upper respiratory tract infections in habitually snoring and mouth breathing children

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of upper respiratory tract infections (URI) - as indicated by rhinosinusitis (RS), ear infections (EI), and antibiotic consumption - in a general pediatric population and evaluate the relationship between these conditions and habitual snoring and mouth breathing during sleep.

METHODS

A population-based cross-sectional study was performed in three medium-sized Polish cities from 2011 to 2015.

RESULTS

4837/6963 questionnaires (69.5%) were completed, returned and analyzed. Mean age of studied group was 7.07 ± 0.72 and 7.14 ± 0.73 in girls and boys, respectively. Habitual mouth breathing during sleep (MB) was reported in 907 (18.7%) children and habitual snoring (HS) in 290 (6.0%). 230/290 (79.3%) of children with HS were also MB. Both HS and MB were more prevalent in boys than in girls (p = 0.027 and p < 0.0001, respectively) and neither was associated with BMI (p = 0.11 and p = 0.07, respectively). Habitual snoring and habitual mouth breathing were highly associated with more frequent bouts of rhinosinusitis, ear infections, and antibiotic use (p < 0.0001 for each parameter).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher rates of rhinosinusitis, ear infections, and antibiotic consumption were similarly associated with HS and MB. MB is over three times more prevalent in the pediatric population relative to HS, therefore it might be considered as a risk factor for URI and may be included in history of URI.

Craniofacial Deviations in the Children With Nasal Obstruction

Nasal obstruction mainly caused by adenoid hypertrophy in children affects the craniofacial growth and development process, and the craniofacial deviations and/or differences reported in the children are very similar to those in the adults with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The authors aimed to look for relationships of the linear craniofacial dimensions in the children suffering from nasal obstruction with age, degree of clinical nasal obstruction score (CNOS), and relative size of the adenoid mass within the nasopharynx in their study.Fifty-five children suffering from nasal obstruction were retrospectively enrolled, and clinical data was used to calculate CNOS. On the lateral cephalometric radiographies, 9 linear variables were measured and adenoidal-nasopharyngeal ratio (ANR) was calculated.The data presented that, not CNOS, but ANR shown decrease by age, while many skeletal variables with exception of the nasopharyngeal and adenoidal postero-anterior dimensions were increased by age. Further, it was found that while CNOS were negatively correlated with the anterior cranial base length, anterior-superior facial height, and maxillary depth, ANR disclosed significant correlation only with the anteriorsuperior facial height. The authors' results support that nasal obstruction in the children was related not only to the adenoidal hypertrophy. Although relative size of the adenoidal mass in relation to the nasopharynx decreased by age, nasal obstruction was still present. Further, these results support that craniofacial deviations and/or differences in the children with nasal obstruction is similar to the adult OSAS patients. Smaller dimensions related to the naso-maxillary complex in the children with more severe nasal obstruction appear to be continuous by age. Hence, it could be said that narrow naso-maxillary complex could contribute to proceed nasal obstruction by age, which may contribute to OSAS in the adults.

Nasal breathing and the vertical dimension: A cephalometric study

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this work was to perform a cephalometric analysis of the craniofacial parameters and natural head posture of mouth-breathers compared with control subjects, and to study the relationship between nose-breathing and the vertical dimension.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The headfilms taken at start of treatment of 53 cases (28 girls, 25 boys) aged 9 to 30 who consulted the dento-facial orthopedic department of the Ibn Rochd Casablanca dental consultation and treatment center were studied.

RESULTS

Among the mouth-breathers, we noted mandibular retrusion (SNB) in association with posterior rotation and more pronounced tilt of the mandibular plane (PP-MP) compared with the controls (P<0.05), a disproportionate increase in anterior face height and a lessening of posterior face height (hyperdivergence). These increases in anterior face height are often associated with retrognathism (and open bite).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Our study has shown that there are cephalometric differences between mouth-breathers and nose-breathers. There are several studies in the literature with results that support ours. Collaboration between the pediatric dentist, the orthodontist and the ENT specialist is important so as to establish an early diagnosis of mouth-breathing in children and initiate appropriate treatment to recreate the best conditions for harmonious development.

TuCASA questionnaire for assessment of children with obstructive sleep apnea: validation

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to validate The Tucson Children's Assessment of Sleep Apnea Study (TuCASA) questionnaire for use in the Brazilian population.

METHODS

Of the total 62 children who participated in the present study (27 girls), aged 4 to 11 years, 45 (72.6%) had sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) diagnosed by polysomnography, while 17 (27.4%) had no sleep disorders. Translation, back-translation, and pretesting were previously performed. The final Portuguese-language version of TuCASA was administered to the participants from May 2012 to August 2013. The interviewer was blinded to presence or absence of SDB. Cronbach's alpha for the overall scale (with 95% CI) and the effect of excluding any items were evaluated.

RESULTS

There was no difference among TuCASA items/score and the presence of SDB with either age or gender. The TuCASA had a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.726 (95% CI 0.614 to 0.817), which denotes satisfactory internal consistency - a finding reinforced by evaluation of the effect of item exclusion on the questionnaire. Convergent validity was also satisfactory, in as much as most correlations were positive and significant.

CONCLUSION

The translated version of the TuCASA questionnaire was validated for Brazilian populations and proved to be a reliable, validated instrument that can be used in clinical practice for evaluation of children with symptoms of SDB.

Sleep-disordered breathing and orthodontic variables in children--pilot study

INTRODUCTION

Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) is a highly prevalent condition associated with orofacial and dentofacial characteristics.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to verify the association of dental malocclusion, molar relationship, crossbite, open bite, overjet, overbite, and crowding with SDB in children aged 7-9 years.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Participating schools were selected randomly from within the public elementary school system. In the first phase of the study, the parents of 1216 children aged between 7 and 9 years old completed the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) questionnaire and the children had to participate in a dental examination. The evaluation of occlusion was divided into sagittal analysis, vertical analysis, and transverse analysis. In the second phase, 60 children were selected randomly to be undergone polysomnography (PSG) at a sleep clinic.

RESULTS

Among the children included, 242 (19.9%) children had normal occlusion. Of the 60 children, 50 underwent PSG and 40 (80%) had SDB. The crossbite and open bite showed association with SDB, p=0.04 in both.

CONCLUSION

Crossbite and open bite malocclusions were associated with SDB, and may be predictive of SDB in children. Studies with larger numbers of participants are needed to investigate the association of other malocclusions with SDB, and randomized clinical trials are also needed to see whether orthodontic and/or functional jaw orthopedic treatment is an option for treating children with malocclusion and SDB.

Comparison of cephalometric patterns in mouth breathing and nose breathing children

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare cephalometric values between nasal and oral breathing children and to measure the upper and lower airway space in both groups.

METHODS

The study was conducted on 118 pediatric patients, 51 girls and 67 boys, from the Dental Clinic of the Universidad Europea de Madrid. The age ranges of the sample were 6-12 years old. 53 of them were mouth breathers and 65 nose breathers. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were obtained for all of the subjects. The radiographs were analyzed and a cephalometric tracing was performed on each one.

RESULTS

The mouth breathing children showed a more retruded mandible (SNB), and a greater inclination of the mandibular plane (NS-Go Gn) and occlusal plane (NS-O Pl.), than the nose breathing children (P<0.05). The mouth breathing group also had a higher frequency of having the hyoid bone in a more elevated position and the nasopharyngeal air space significantly smaller than the nasal breathing group (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Mouth breathing children seem to have an increase in anterior lower facial height, the hyoid bone in a more elevated position and higher tendency towards having a class II malocclusion compared to nose breathing children.

A percepção do acompanhante e do indivíduo com ronco/saos antes e após fonoterapia

Objetivo verificar a percepção do acompanhante e a auto-avaliação do indivíduo com ronco/síndrome da apnéia obstrutiva do sono; coletar medidas das circunferências abdominal e cervical antes e após fonoterapia, além de realizar avaliação miofuncional para relacionar os resultados com a gravidade do distúrbio do sono observado. Métodos participaram deste estudo onze indivíduos entre 25 e 75 anos de ambos os sexos com diagnóstico polissonográfico recente de síndrome da apnéia obstrutiva do sono leve a severo e/ou ronco primário. Os sujeitos receberam fonoterapia, exame clínico fonoaudiológico, aplicação de questionários de Berlim (adaptado) e Epworth nas fases pré e pós-fonoterapia. Os dados obtidos foram analisados estatisticamente por meio do teste de Wilcoxon (α = 0,05). Resultados dois indivíduos não aderiram ao tratamento. Não foi verificada diferença significante entre circunferências cervical e abdominal inicial e final (cervical p=0,069 / abdominal p=0,789). Todos os pacientes apresentaram melhora no tônus da musculatura supra-hióidea, rebaixamento de dorso de língua, elevação do palato mole, mastigação bilateral, fala e respiração nasal. Os resultados do questionário de Berlim mostraram redução na percepção do acompanhante na intensidade (p=0,005) do ronco maior do que na frequência (p=0,05). Houve redução significante (p=0,000) da sonolência diurna excessiva em todos os pacientes. Conclusão Considerando-se as limitações deste estudo, conclui-se que após a fonoterapia as percepções dos acompanhantes e dos pacientes com síndrome da apnéia obstrutiva do sono/ronco ilustraram melhora efetiva do sono, da qualidade de vida, redução de intensidade do ronco e do comprometimento nas atividades diárias decorrentes da redução da sonolência diurna excessiva.

Obstructive sleep apnea prevents the expected difference in craniofacial growth of boys and girls

OBJECTIVES

It was to compare cephalometric measures of mouth-breather boys and girls and with the cephalometric pattern observed in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients.

METHODS

Craniofacial measurements of lateral cephalometric radiographs obtained from 144 children aged 7-14 years were compared between boys and girls, and both were compared to cephalometric pattern of OSAS patients.

RESULTS

Mouth-breather boys and girls had no gender differences regarding to craniofacial morphology while nose-breather boys and girls showed those expected differences. Nose-breather boys presented a more retruded mandible and proinclined upper incisor when compared to nose-breather girls, but mouth-breather boys and girls had no differences. The measure NS.GoGn was the only variable with an interaction with gender and breathing.

CONCLUSIONS

There were no cephalometric difference in mouth breather-boys and girls related to normal growth, suggesting that oral breathing make the same craniofacial morphology and both have craniofacial morphology close to that of OSAS patients.

Multiple system morbidities associated with children with snore symptom

OBJECTIVE

To exam the relationship between snoring and morbidities of multiple systems in children.

STUDY DESIGN

Children with snoring were enrolled and divided into primary snorer (PS) group and obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) group based on polysomnography. The healthy children served as the control group. The growth parameters, maxillofacial malformations, blood chemistry, electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram were recorded and intelligence testing was performed in the enrolled children who were ≥6 years old.

RESULTS

The weight and height were similar in the control group (n = 60) and the PS group (n = 63), but lower in the OSAHS group (n = 89; P < 0.001). Occurrence of adenoidal face and dental malocclusion in the OSAHS and the PS group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.001). Compared with the control group, the OSAHS group had a lower serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level; and a possible higher pulmonary artery pressure based on the echocardiogram (P < 0.001). All the above parameters in the PS group were similar to those in the control group. Full-scale IQ and performance IQ of the OSAHS group was lower (P < 0.001), attention deficits were significantly higher in the OSAHS group (P < 0.001), but were similar in the PS group when compared to the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

OSAHS in children is associated with delayed growth, maxillofacial malformations, impaired cognitive functions, abnormalities in lipid metabolism, and changes in pulmonary artery pressures. PS children also have higher incidence of maxillofacial malformations but have a normal growth and normal cognitive functions.

Relieving nasal congestion in children with seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis: efficacy and safety studies of mometasone furoate nasal spray

Background

In surveys of children with allergic rhinitis (AR), nasal congestion has been identified as the most frequently experienced and bothersome symptom. This analysis was conducted to investigate the effect of mometasone furoate nasal spray (MFNS) on congestion in children with AR.

Methods

Two multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies randomly assigned children to MFNS 100 μg or placebo, 1 spray/nostril QD for 4 weeks (Study 1: ages 6–11 years with seasonal AR [SAR] ≥1 year; Study 2: ages 3–11 years with perennial AR [PAR] ≥1 year). Least square (LS) means were obtained from an ANCOVA model with treatment and study center effects, with baseline score as a covariate. We conducted post hoc evaluation of changes from baseline in AM/PM PRIOR (average of reflective AM and PM scores) nasal congestion (0=none to 3=severe).

Results

Study 1: MFNS (n=134) reduced congestion significantly more than placebo (n=135) on day 2 (P=.004) and on 23/29 days (P≤.037). Change from baseline was −0.53 and −0.28 for MFNS and placebo (P<.001) over days 1–15 and −0.64 and −0.38 for MFNS and placebo (P<.001) over days 1–29. Study 2: MFNS (n=185) reduced congestion significantly more than placebo (n=189) on day 3 (P=.015) and on 22/29 days (P≤.047). Change from baseline was −0.56 and −0.36 for MFNS and placebo (P<.001) over days 1–15 and −0.64 and −0.45 for MFNS and placebo (P<.001) over days 1–29. MFNS was well tolerated, with no unusual or unexpected adverse events.

Conclusion

MFNS effectively relieved nasal congestion and was well tolerated in children with SAR or PAR.

Is the population properly informed about sleep disorders?

OBJECTIVE: To measure the prior knowledge about sleep disorders and patient's ability to report their problems adequately to health professionals. METHODS: We analyzed 208 patient's records and extracted the following information: date of birth, gender, medical diagnostic hypotheses, patient's primary complaint in their words, considering the most appropriated semantic approximation to the perceptual phenomena, either by their own or by reasoning information from the partner. We compared the agreement (Kappa's test) between patient's complaint and medical diagnosis. The 95% confidence interval was used to analyze proportions. RESULTS: We found strong correlations for bruxism; moderate for snoring, insomnia, nightmares, somniloquy, and restless legs syndrome; fair for excessive movement during sleep (EMDS) and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA). CONCLUSIONS: The observed correlations were heterogeneous, but important diseases such as OSA and EMDS in children showed fair and weak correlations. This suggests an unsatisfactory knowledge level among the population about these disorders, despite their high prevalence and impact on patient's overall health.

[Craniofacial morphology and obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome: a craniometric comparative analysis]

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to define the relationship between paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and craniofacial morphovolumetric features through comparative craniometric analyses between affected children and controls based on conventional cephalometry.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cephalometric examinations of 40 children affected by OSAHS were retrospectively evaluated. Sixteen craniometric landmarks were identified, and 27 linear and angular indices related to craniofacial morphovolumetric features were measured. Subsequently, the same process of identifying landmarks and measuring indices was performed on the cephalometric examinations of 40 controls. For each index, we then calculated in both groups the mean, standard deviation, standard error and p value. By comparing the values obtained in the two series, we calculated the degree of significance of each difference between children with OSAHS and controls using the Student t test.

RESULTS

Differences of only 5/27 linear and angular indices considered were not statistically significant between groups, thus confirming susceptibility to the disorder in relation to certain splanchnocranic morphovolumetric features. The most significant differences involved mandibular plane inclination and distance between landmark sella and hyoid bone, a reliable index being the vertical position of the latter.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the limitations associated with the 2D nature of conventional cephalometry, mainly related to projection and identification errors, and despite the upright position during examination, we consider the diagnostic value and information content of this technique high, thus reaffirming its role as a first-line imaging investigation in children with sleep-related breathing disorders.

Avaliação da performance mastigatória em indivíduos respiradores nasais e orais

OBJETIVO: avaliar, por meio da mastigação sequencial de uma "pastilha" artificial de Optosil, o desempenho mastigatório de indivíduos respiradores nasais e orais. MÉTODO: participaram sessenta sujeitos dentados na faixa etária de 14 a 22 anos. Uma "pastilha" de Optosil foi fornecida a cada participante, que executou 20 ciclos mastigatórios, os fragmentos foram colocados numa coluna de sete peneiras, sendo, posteriormente pesados numa balança de precisão. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise descritiva e inferencial (Teste T e ANOVA). RESULTADOS: os grupos respiradores nasais e respiradores orais foram constituídos de 30 jovens cada, com idade média de 17,87 e 17,83 anos respectivamente. Com relação ao gênero houve predominância do gênero feminino no grupo respirador oral e do gênero masculino no grupo respirador nasal Os cinco diagnósticos mais prevalentes no grupo respirador oral foram hipertrofia de adenóide, rinite alérgica, sinusite, asma e hipertrofia de amígdala. Por fim, ao ser realizado o Teste T, não foi encontrada diferença estatística na performance mastigatória nos respiradores orais e nasais (p>0,05). CONCLUSÃO: o padrão respiratório não foi um fator determinante na performance mastigatória.

Cephalometric evaluation of facial pattern and hyoid bone position in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

OBJECTIVES

To assess the development of face and hyoid bone in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) through lateral cephalometries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Children aged 7-10 years with mixed dentition and with no previous otorhinolaryngologic, orthodontic or speech therapy treatments were studied. Twenty nasal breathers were compared to 20 mouth breathing children diagnosed as OSAS patients. All children underwent otorhinolaryngologic evaluation and cephalometries; children with OSAS also underwent nocturnal polysomnography in a sleep laboratory.

RESULTS

Children with OSAS presented increase in total and lower anterior heights of the face when compared to nasal breathers. In addition, children with OSAS presented a significantly more anterior and inferior position of the hyoid bone than nasal breathers. No significant differences in upper, anterior or posterior heights of the face were observed between groups.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that there are evident and early changes in facial growth and development among children with OSAS, characterized by increased total and inferior anterior heights of the face, as well as more anterior and inferior position of the hyoid bone.