Outpatient initiation of long-term continuous positive airway pressure in children.

INTRODUCTION

Current guidelines recommend initiating continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in children during an overnight in-hospital titration study. Due to a shortage of hospital beds and economic constraints, we started a program for outpatient initiation of CPAP in selected children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

METHODS

Objective CPAP compliance and efficacy were evaluated in consecutive children enrolled in an outpatient CPAP program when they fulfilled the following criteria: persistent OSA, age >6 months, stable condition, family living in the Parisian area and agreeing with a regular follow-up.

RESULTS

Thirty-one children, median (range) age 8.9 years (0.8-17.5), were included in the program. The most common diagnosis were Down syndrome (n = 7), achondroplasia (n = 3), and obesity (n = 3). Median baseline obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (OAHI) was 12.5 events/h (5-100). Median duration of follow-up was 12.3 months (2.2-25.2). Four subjects (three adolescents with Down syndrome) were not compliant at 2-month follow-up with a compliance <4 h/night. In the other 27 subjects, median compliance was 08:21 h:min/night (05:45-12:20), with a median number of night use per month of 25 (18-30). CPAP efficacy at the end of follow-up was excellent in the compliant subjects with a median AHI of two events/h (0-4) and normal gas exchange with CPAP therapy. Three subjects were successfully weaned from CPAP treatment during the study period.

CONCLUSION

Initiating CPAP in an outpatient setting in children is feasible and effective in selected subjects. A high rate of compliance can be achieved as well as a correction of OSA.