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Sleep disordered breathing in children with Down syndrome in the Republic of Ireland
Author(s) -
Diskin Catherine,
McVeigh Terri P.,
Cox Des W.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
american journal of medical genetics part a
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.064
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1552-4833
pISSN - 1552-4825
DOI - 10.1002/ajmg.a.61855
Subject(s) - obstructive sleep apnea , medicine , continuous positive airway pressure , pediatrics , sleep disordered breathing , compliance (psychology) , physical therapy , psychology , social psychology
Down syndrome (DS) is associated with a complex respiratory phenotype, including obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The study explored parent‐reported prevalence and presentation of OSAS symptoms in children and adolescents with DS in Ireland. It also investigated treatment and compliance in those who have OSAS. A cross‐sectional survey was distributed to parents registered with Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI) ( n = 1,343). Data was collated and analyzed using SPSS v23. The response rate was 393 (29%). Twenty‐one percent of parents ( n = 84) reported a diagnosis of OSAS in their child. The parents of children reported as compliant with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) were more likely to report a perceived benefit of treatment ( p = .018). Ninety‐two percent ( n = 212) of children without a formal diagnosis of OSAS had at least one symptom (median 4 symptoms) of the condition. This, the largest survey of parental reporting of OSAS or its symptoms, demonstrates a high reported prevalence of symptoms in children and adolescents with DS in Ireland without a formal diagnosis of OSAS, indicating under‐recognition. In treated patients, perception of the benefit of CPAP correlated with reported compliance, suggesting a need for tailored education.