Sleep-Disordered Breathing Is Common in Obese Children

Sleep-disordered breathing has been reported in obese children and adults. Researchers at an obesity clinic in Belgium examined the prevalence of and risk factors for sleep apnea in 27 overweight and 64 obese children and adolescents (age range, 6–17 years; 51 girls).

Among overweight patients, 44% had some form of sleep-disordered breathing on polysomnography: mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in 19%, moderate-to-severe OSA in 22%, and central sleep apnea in 4%. Among the obese patients, 47% had sleep-disordered breathing: snoring only in 11%, mild OSA in 11%, moderate-to-severe OSA in 8%, and central sleep apnea in 17%. Overall, 17% of patients with OSA (4 patients) and 50% with central sleep apnea (6 patients) had oxygen desaturation. Mo…