Tahani Al-Otaibi, Mansour Al-Qwaiee, Huda Faraidi, Fatima Batniji, Faisal Al-Otaibi, Adel Al-Harbi

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in Saudi children with sickle cell disease at a tertiary hospital in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) using nocturnal polysomnography.

Methods: A prospective cross-section study was conducted between 2012 and 2016 in 65 children aged between 2-14 years at Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, KSA with sickle cell disease. Patients answered a pediatric sleep questionnaire with the help of an accompanying caregiver and underwent polysomnography in the same night.

Results: The final sample included 65 children. Median age was 8.1 years. There were 32 boys (49.2%) and 33 girls (50.8%). Mean hemoglobin was 8.6 (p=0.37) and mean body mass index was 15.6 (p=0.36). The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea was 80% (52 patients) using an apnea hypopnea index cutoff of ≥1 and 7.7% (5 patients) using an apnea hypopnea index cutoff of ≥5. Results from the pediatric sleep questionnaire were snoring (73.8%), apnea (32.8%), and bedwetting (46%).

Conclusion: Obstructive sleep apnea is common in children with sickle cell disease.

Original article link (https://www.smj.org.sa/index.php/smj/article/view/smj.2017.6.19492)

SMJ