Salivary biomarkers of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in children.
OBJECTIVE
The present pilot study was performed to evaluate the HPA axis and ANS activity by measuring salivary cortisol and α-amylase diurnal trajectory and production, respectively, in mild or moderate-to-severe (MS) OSA-affected, but otherwise healthy, children. Moreover, a correlative analysis was performed between the salivary biomarker concentrations and the PSG variables characterizing the OSA severity.


METHODS
We studied 27 consecutive OSA patients (13 mild OSA; 14 MS OSA) and seven healthy children who were enrolled as controls by collecting salivary samples and measuring cortisol and α-amylase levels using enzyme-linked bioassays.


RESULTS
Compared with controls, both mild and MS OSA children showed: (1) increased salivary cortisol diurnal production, (2) maintenance of the physiological circadian activity of the HPA axis, and (3) no changes in α-amylase diurnal trajectory and production. In addition, morning salivary cortisol concentrations was negatively associated with the disease severity in the MS OSA group.


CONCLUSIONS
OSA is associated with dysregulation of the HPA axis activity in children, the latter potentially underlying some of the adverse consequences of the disease.
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Francesca R
FR
Patacchioli
Alessandra
A
Tabarrini
Cristina M
CM
Ghiciuc
Lucia Corina
LC
Dima-Cozma
Anna
A
Prete
Carlotta
C
Bianchini
Ferdinando
F
Nicoletti
David
D
Gozal
Maria P
MP
Villa
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000378:metabolism*; D000516:alpha-Amylases / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; D000516:alpha-Amylases; D006854:Hydrocortisone
AUC; OSA; children; salivary cortisol; salivary α-amylase