Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the variations in sleep architecture and types of sleep disturbances in preschool and school-age children diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Methods: Children who underwent polysomnography (PSG) were enrolled and divided into two groups based on age: a preschool group and a school-age group. We analyzed differences in sleep architecture and types of sleep disturbances between these groups.
Results: Total sleep time was significantly higher in the preschool group compared to the school-age group (P < 0.05). The percentage of Stage N1 sleep (N1%) was also higher in the preschool group (p < 0.05). Conversely, the percentage of Stage N2 sleep (N2%) was lower in the preschool group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the average and minimum heart rates were higher in the preschool group, while the minimum oxygen saturation, including during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and REM stages, was lower compared to the school-age group (P < 0.05). The prevalence of positional OSA (P-OSA) was lower, and the prevalence of REM OSA (R-OSA) was higher in the preschool group (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The prevalence of P-OSA was lower, and R-OSA was higher in preschool children compared to school-age children. Furthermore, the types of sleep disturbances in preschool children with OSA showed significant differences from those in school-age children with OSA.
Keywords: Obstructive sleep apnea; Polysomnography; Postural obstructive sleep apnea, REM obstructive sleep apnea, children.
Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.