Long-term effect of growth hormone on sleep-disordered breathing in Malaysian children with Prader-Willi syndrome: a retrospective study.

STUDY

OBJECTIVES

The effect of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in Malaysian children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is under-investigated. We determined (1) the short- and long-term effects of rhGH and (2) factors associated with worsening SDB in children with PWS receiving rhGH.

METHODS

This retrospective study included children with PWS (with and without rhGH) who had undergone at least 1 polysomnography. Outcomes measured were the presence of SDB before and after starting rhGH and the progress of SDB with and without rhGH. Serial insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) measurements were recorded.

RESULTS

One-hundred and thirteen polysomnograms were analyzed. The majority (92.3%) of initial polysomnograms showed SDB, with a median (interquartile range) apnea-hypopnea index of 5.0 (2.6, 16.3) events/h. The age for receiving rhGH was a median (IQR) of 1.9 (0.7, 3.4) years. One-third (36.8%) had worsening SDB after initiating rhGH, which was associated with higher IGF-1 levels post-rhGH (P = .007). After a median of 5 years of rhGH, 73.6% maintained or reduced their positive airway pressure settings. Without rhGH, 80% had increased their positive airway pressure settings. Worsening SDB while on rhGH was associated with higher body mass index, lower rhGH dose, higher IGF-1 levels, and non-15q deletion.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of Malaysian children with PWS had SDB. At initiation of rhGH, one-third of patients had worsening SDB, associated with increased IGF-1 levels. Stabilization of SDB was more frequently seen in those receiving long-term rhGH. Worsening SDB while on rhGH was associated with a higher body mass index, receiving a lower dose of rhGH, higher IGF-1 levels, and non-15q deletion.

CITATION: Tan YT, Azanan MS, Hng SY, et al. Long-term effect of growth hormone on sleep-disordered breathing in Malaysian children with Prader-Willi syndrome: a retrospective study. J Clin Sleep Med. 2024;20(8):1291-1299.