Severity Assessment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) in Pediatric Patients

Abstract

Objective. To assess obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) severity among pediatric patients. Design. A retrospective review of charts and polysomnography (PSG) results. Measurements and main results. Apnea—hypopnea index (AHI) and the cumulative duration of sleep while O₂SAT was <91% were determined in 389 patients with OSAS. Patients with AHI ranging <5, 5 to 15, 16 to 30, and >30, had mean lowest observed O₂SAT values of 88% ± 8%, 85% ± 9%, 78% ± 12%, and 69% ± 13%, respectively. The patients spent a mean of 3.5% ± 9.2 % of their sleep time with O₂SAT < 91%. AHI values showed a poor linear correlation with the lowest measured O₂SAT values. Body mass index percentiles showed no significant linear correlation with AHI values or with the lowest measured values of O₂SAT. Conclusion. Values of AHI cannot accurately predict severity of oxyhemoglobin desaturation in pediatric OSAS and vice versa. No significant correlation between body mass index percentiles and severity of OSAS was established.