Observational pilot study of reported symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea in children with epilepsy.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in children with epilepsy (CWE) compared with those in a typically developing comparison group. CWE are known to have poor sleep, with increased rates of OSA suggested.


METHODS
The Sleep-Related Breathing Disorder scale of the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ-SRBD) was used to estimate OSA symptoms, with scores ≤0.33 known to be highly sensitive and specific for OSA. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) was used to assess EDS, with scores of 10 or above considered abnormal.


RESULTS
Thirty-three CWE (21 males, 12 females) were studied (median age [interquartile range {IQR}] 9y [5-12]), along with 42 comparison children (20 males, 22 females; median age [IQR] 6y [4-8.5]). Fifty-five per cent of CWE scored 0.33 or higher on the PSQ-SRBD compared with 7% in the comparison group (p<0.001), and 30% of CWE had an abnormal ESS compared with 5% controls (p=0.003). Within the CWE cohort, PSQ-SRDB and ESS appeared higher in those taking antiepileptic drugs (AEDs); although PSQ-SRBD score for CWE not on AEDs was higher than in the comparison group.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests higher rates of symptoms of OSA and EDS in CWE compared with typically developing children. AEDs may be a confounding factor, but do not alone account for the associations seen. Further studies including polysomnography to verify the presence (rather than suggestion by questionnaire) of OSA are warranted.
Department of Paediatric Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh, UK.|Department of Child Life and Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Don S
DS
Urquhart
Department of Paediatric Neurology, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh, UK.
Olaniyi O
OO
Kehinde
Department of Child Life and Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.|Department of Paediatric Neurology, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh, UK.
Ailsa E
AE
Mclellan
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D006970:Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*