Assessment of Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Sleep Quality in Childhood Interstitial Lung Disease: A Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND

While adult patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) commonly experience poor sleep quality characterized by abnormal sleep architecture, increased fragmentation, and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), children's interstitial lung disease (chILD)-a heterogeneous group of diffuse parenchymal lung diseases-remains less studied in terms of its impact on sleep.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to assess sleep quality and the prevalence of SDB, and to investigate potential associations between SDB and clinical, functional, and radiological parameters.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This prospective cross-sectional study included children diagnosed with ILD. Sleep questionnaire scores, polysomnography (PSG) parameters, and SDB outcomes were recorded and compared between patients with and without lung fibrosis.

RESULTS

Of 30 patients (36.7% female, mean age 115 ± 59.3 months), 77% were diagnosed with OSAS (63.3% mild, 13.3% moderate). Sleep efficiency was below 85% in 20% of cases, and REM sleep was reduced in 90%. Median AHI was 1.8. According to sleep questionnaires, 80% of patients had impaired sleep quality, and 60% showed an increased risk for SDB. No significant association was found between pulmonary fibrosis and SDB.

CONCLUSION

Contrary to common belief, SDB is not rare in chILD, and PSG alongside sleep questionnaires should be used in follow-up to improve screening and detection.