Obstructive sleep apnea among children with severe beta-thalassemia.
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among children with severe beta-thalassemia. Children with severe beta-thalassemia without a history of bone marrow transplantation were studied. Polysomnography (PSG) was performed in those who habitually snored to identify OSA. One hundred twenty children (aged 9.3 +/- 3.7 years; 42% male) were studied. Nineteen patients (15.8%) habitually snored. Sixteen had PSG performed. OSA was demonstrated in 10 patients. Six had moderate-to-severe OSA. The estimated prevalence of OSA was 8.3%. All OSA patients had adenoid hypertrophy and 80% had associated tonsil enlargement. The OSA group had a higher serum ferritin level compared to the non-OSA group (3,785 +/- 1,780 vs 1,885 +/- 677 ng/ml; p = 0.03). Six of 10 patients who had OSA underwent adenotonsillectomy. Reactive lymphoid hyperplasia was demonstrated in all cases. The estimated prevalence of OSA in children with severe beta-thalassemia was high (8.3%) and some had severe OSA. Adenotonsillar lymphoid hyperplasia was common among those who had OSA. A high serum ferritin level was associated with the occurrence of OSA. A history of snoring and OSA symptoms should be periodically assessed in children with severe beta-thalassemia.
Division of Pulmonology and Critical Care, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. ssritippayawan@yahoo.com
Suchada
S
Sritippayawan
Siriporn
S
Norasetthekul
Issarang
I
Nuchprayoon
Jitladda
J
Deerojanawong
Tayard
T
Desudchit
Nuanchan
N
Prapphal
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017286:Polysomnography; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013785:Thailand; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000150:complications*