Association of sleep spindle activity and sleepiness in children with sleep-disordered breathing.
Spindles were significantly reduced in children with SDB and daytime sleepiness, and the exact mechanisms of this association remain unknown and future research is needed in order to establish the exact role of sleep spindle activity on daytime symptoms in childrenwith SDB.
Abstract
BACKGROUND The association of snoring and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) with daytime sleepiness is well documented. The exact mechanisms, and especially the role of sleep microstructure that may account for this association remain, however, not completely understood. STUDY OBJECTIVES In a cohort of children with SDB, we aimed to compare sleep spindle activity between children with daytime sleepiness versus those without daytime sleepiness. METHODS Children with SDB and reported daytime sleepiness were recruited and compared to age- and gender-matched SDB controls. Polysomnographic recordings were analyzed evaluating sleep spindle activity. A statistical comparison was carried out in both groups to assess the association between sleepiness and sleep spindle activity. RESULTS Thirty-three children with SDB (mean age 7.5 ± 1.7 years) were included, 10 with and 23 without daytime sleepiness. Spindle activity was lower in children with daytime sleepiness compared to those without; in stage N2, median (interquartile range) sleep spindle index was 77.5 (37.3) and 116.9 (71.2) (p=0.015), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Spindles were significantly reduced in children with SDB and daytime sleepiness. The exact mechanisms of this association remain unknown and future research is needed in order to establish the exact role of sleep spindle activity on daytime symptoms in children with SDB.