Age- and gender-related characteristics in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea

Abstract

Background: Age and gender disparities in polysomnographic findings in children are not well understood. Objective: This study determined age and gender-related characteristics in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Method: Retrospectively, data were collected. We analyzed polysomnographic data in the following age groups: 3–6 years (n = 681), 6–9 years (n = 553), 9–12 years (n = 297), 12–15 years (n = 200), and 15–18 years (n = 111). Results: A total of 1842 children were included (mean age: 8.0 years; boys: 67%; obesity: 21%). The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) gradually increased with age (3–6, 6–9, 9–12, 12–15, and 15–18 years groups: 6.2, 5.9, 6.5, 8.1, and 9.9 event/h, respectively; p trend = 0.002). In all age groups, boys had a higher AHI than girls (7.8 vs. 4.1 events/h, p < 0.001). Children with obesity had a higher AHI than those without (12.9 vs. 4.9 events/h, p < 0.001). The mean AHI in the boys increased with age (3–6 to 15–18 years groups: 7.0–13.6 events/h, respectively; p trend < 0.001), whereas the mean AHI in the girls was not significantly different between ages (p trend = 0.492). In moderation analyses, gender was a moderator in the association between obesity and AHI, and the association between age and AHI during 12–15 and 15–18 years of ages. Conclusion: Male gender and obesity increase risk of OSA. Regarding age disparities, this study discovered a higher AHI in male adolescents than in young boys.