AUTHOR=Li Albert M., Au Chun T , Zhu Jodie , Chan Kate , Chan Michael , Lee Dennis , Wing Yun K 

TITLE=Plasma Natriuretic Peptides in Children and Adolescents with Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Their Changes Following Intervention

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pediatrics

VOLUME=2

YEAR=2014

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pediatrics/articles/10.3389/fped.2014.00022

DOI=10.3389/fped.2014.00022

ISSN=2296-2360

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objective:</bold> This study aimed to evaluate circulating natriuretic peptides (NP) concentration in obese and non-obese children and adolescents with and without obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and their levels following OSA treatment.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> Subjects with habitual snoring and symptoms suggestive of OSA were recruited. They underwent physical examination and overnight polysomnography (PSG). OSA was diagnosed if obstructive apnea–hypopnea index (OAHI) was ≥1/h. Fasting serum atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were taken after overnight PSG. The subjects were divided into obese, non-obese, with and without OSA groups for comparisons.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> One hundred fourteen children (77 were boys) with a median [interquartile range (IQR)] age of 10.8 (8.3–12.7) years (range: 2.4–11.8 years) were recruited. Sixty-eight subjects were found to have OSA. NP levels did not differ between subjects with and without OSA in both obese and non-obese groups. Stepwise multiple linear regressions revealed that body mass index (BMI) <italic>z</italic>-score was the only independent factor associated with NP concentrations. Fifteen children with moderate-to-severe OSA (OAHI &gt;5/h) underwent treatment and there were no significant changes in both ANP and BNP levels after intervention.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> Body mass index rather than OSA was the main determinant of NP levels in school-aged children and adolescents.</p>