Pulmonary dysfunction in overweight and obese children with obstructive sleep apnoea

Introduction: Overweight and obese children are at risk of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and abnormal pulmonary function (PF). Aim: Investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI), OSA on PF in children. Materials & Method: Seventy-four children were recruited. Mixed obstructive apnoea-hypopnea index (MOAHI), BMI, oxygen saturation (SpO(2)), forced expiratory volume one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and fractionated exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) were measured. Results: Twenty-four and thirty children had mild OSA and moderate-to-severe OSA respectively. BMI correlated negatively with SpO(2) nadir (r = -.363, p = .001). FVC, FEV1 and nadir SpO(2) values decreased with OSA severity (p <.001). The odds of a child with OSA having an abnormal spirometry was 3.16 (95% CI: 1.08, 9.22). There was significant association between FeNO and AHI (r = .497, <.001). Discussion: Overweight and obese children with OSA have significant abnormalities in pulmonary function independent of BMI. OSA severity and elevated FeNO also correlated with diminishing lung function.