Symptoms of sleep disordered breathing in children with craniofacial malformations.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) symptoms in a clinical sample of children with congenital craniofacial malformations (CFM) followed at a tertiary medical center and non-selected for sleep problems.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study of 575 children aged 2-18 years followed at the Craniofacial Anomalies Program between March 2007 and May 2011. The Sleep-Related Breathing Disturbance scale of the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire was used to screen for SDB, snoring, and sleepiness. A cutoff value ≥ 0.33 of the total answered questions identified children with positive screening for SDB symptoms.

RESULTS

Overall, 25% of children screened positive for SDB, 28% for snoring, and 20% for sleepiness. In children with non-syndromic CFM, those with Robin sequence had the highest frequency of SDB, snoring, and sleepiness (43%, 44%, and 38%, respectively). In children with syndromic CFM, velocardiofacial/ DiGeorge syndrome had the highest frequency of SDB and sleepiness (48% and 43%, respectively). Children with Treacher Collins had the highest frequency of snoring (83%). The presence of cleft palate was not associated with an increased frequency of SDB symptoms. Nevertheless, children with syndromic CFM, compared to those with non-syndromic CFM, had a higher SDB score (0.27 ± 0.21 vs.0.21 ± 0.19, p = 0.003) and were more likely to have sleepiness (26% vs. 18%, p = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Congenital craniofacial malformations in children are associated with high risk for SDB symptoms. Our findings should encourage a high index of suspicion for SDB in children with CFM, with a low threshold for further testing and close follow-up.

CITATION

Moraleda-Cibrián M; Edwards SP; Kasten SJ; Berger M; Buchman SR; O'Brien LM. Symptoms of sleep disordered breathing in children with craniofacial malformations.