Clinical findings in Japanese children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: focus on dental findings.

We evaluated clinical findings including those on dentistry and in the oral cavity of children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA). This study examined twenty-seven OSA children, who were advised by otolaryngologists to be admitted for closer examination and showed an apnea index (AI) of 5 or more on polysomnographs. Their clinical history was obtained from their mothers, and oral findings were also evaluated. The patient consisted of 15 males (56%) and 12 females (44%). The mean body mass index (BMI) was 16.0 +/- 3.0. Of the clinical findings related to sleeping and the duration of sleeping, snoring was the most frequently observed finding (100%). The mean duration of sleep, calculated from the time they went to bed (9.2 +/- 0.8 p.m.) and the time they got up (7.1 +/- 0.8 a.m.), was 9.9 +/- 1.0 hours. Of the clinical findings obtained during the daytime, hyponasal speech was the most frequently observed finding (74%). In terms of dentistry, oral breathing was the most frequently observed finding (89%). The mean duration of meals was 31.7 +/- 13.8 minutes. Results of oral examination revealed that Hellman's dental age was most frequently IIA. According to the standardized grading classification, grade I was observed in 7%, II in 63%, and grade III in 30% of subjects.