Age- and gender-related characteristics in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea
Journal
PEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY
Date Issued
2022-03-18
Author(s)
Abstract
Background:Age and gender disparities in polysomnographic findings in children arenot well understood.Objective:This study determined age and gender‐related characteristics in pediatricobstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Method:Retrospectively, data were collected. We analyzed polysomnographic datain 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;ptrend = 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 thosewithout (12.9 vs. 4.9 events/h,p< 0.001). The mean AHI in the boys increased withage (3–6to15–18 years groups: 7.0–13.6 events/h, respectively;ptrend < 0.001),whereas the mean AHI in the girls was not significantly different between ages(ptrend = 0.492). In moderation analyses, gender was a moderator in the associationbetween obesity and AHI, and the association between age and AHI during 12–15and 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.
Subjects
age
child
gender
health status disparities
polysomnography
sleep apnea syndromes
Type
journal article