Sleep Architecture in Children With Down Syndrome With and Without Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Objective To characterize polysomnographic sleep architecture in children with Down syndrome and compare findings in those with and without obstructive sleep apnea. Study Design Case series with retrospective review. Setting Single tertiary pediatric hospital (2005-2018). Methods We reviewed the electronic health records of patients undergoing polysomnography who were referred from a specialized center for children with Down syndrome (age, >= 12 months). Continuous positive airway pressure titration, oxygen titration, and split-night studies were excluded. Results A total of 397 children were included (52.4% male, 81.6% Caucasian). Mean age at the time of polysomnography was 4.7 years (range, 1.4-14.7); 79.4% had obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep variables were reported as mean (SD) values: sleep efficiency, 85% (11%); sleep latency, 29.8 minutes (35.6); total sleep time, 426 minutes (74.6); rapid eye movement (REM) latency, 126.8 minutes (66.3); time spent in REM sleep, 22% (7%); arousal index, 13.3 (5); and time spent supine, 44% (28%). There were no significant differences between those with obstructive sleep apnea and those without. Sleep efficiency 30 minutes; 15.9% had total sleep time 10/h. Overall, 69.2% had >= 2 metrics of poor sleep architecture. REM sleep time Conclusion In children with Down syndrome, 32.5% had sleep efficiency <80%; 75.6% had an elevated arousal index; and 15.9% had total sleep time <360 minutes. More than a third of the patients had >= 3 markers of poor sleep architecture. There was no difference in children with or without obstructive sleep apnea.

Automated summary

In children with Down syndrome, 32.5% had sleep efficiency <80%; 75.6% had an elevated arousal index; and 15.9% had total sleep time <360 minutes. More than a third of the patients had >= 3 markers of poor sleep architecture. There was no difference in children with or without obstructive sleep apnea.