Obstructive sleep apnoea-associated factors in children and adolescents diagnosed by polysomnography: A scoping review.

PURPOSE: This scoping review aimed to map research on factors associated with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in children and adolescents undergoing overnight polysomnography (PSG) and questionnaire-based diagnostic assessments.

METHODS

Searches were conducted in three electronic databases up to May 2023, including nine observational studies, including 3482 individuals.

RESULTS

Among the included studies, nine reported on sex, six on obesity, five on tonsillar hypertrophy, three on mouth breathing, two on allergic rhinitis, and three on smoking exposure. The sample comprised 3482 children, with subsets analyzed for sex (n = 3482), obesity (n = 2752), and tonsillar hypertrophy (n = 794). Meta-analysis demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of OSA in males compared to females [P < 0.0001; I2 = 49 %], with a pooled relative risk (RR) of 1.15 (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-1.23). Associations were found between obesity and OSA [RR: 1.42; 95 % CI: 1.20-1.68; P = 0.02; I2 = 61 %], and tonsillar size and OSA [RR: 1.61; 95 % CI: 1.35-1.92; P = 0.06; I2 = 60 %].

CONCLUSION

Considering the study's limitations, these findings underscore the importance of considering sex, obesity, and tonsillar size when evaluating OSA in children and adolescents.