Abstract
Recent studies strongly suggest that nocturnal oxygen desaturation in children with sickle cell anemia is associated with an increase incidence of pain and stroke. However, no relationship has been established between daytime oxygen desaturation and sleep disturbance. To determine the relationship between daytime oxygen desaturation and sleep related breathing disorder in children with sickle cell anemia we evaluated 17 patients with HbSS disease referred to the sleep laboratory at St. Louis Children's Hospital. All patients were referred for daytime oxygen desaturation defined as less than 94% on room air by pulse oximetry. Each patient underwent an overnight recorded polysomnogram with sleep guidelines and parameters following the general consensus statement and standards set by the American Thoracic Society. Results showed 82% of the patients had nocturnal hypoxemia with overnight mean oxygen saturation less than 94% with values ranging from 75–95% and a mean oxygen saturation of 89%. 18% of the patients had an oxygen saturation less than 85% overnight, and 65% of the patients had a formal recommendation of nocturnal supplemental oxygen use after the polysomnogram. 53% of the patients had a diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) with an Apnea Index range of 0.1–7.5 and a Respiratory Disturbance Index range of 4–41.4. Our preliminary results suggest that patients with sickle cell anemia have an increased risk of sleep related breathing disorder including OSAS and nocturnal hypoxemia. Patients with low daytime oxygen desaturation are at risk for sleep related breathing disorders. Further prospective evaluations are underway to validate these findings and to elucidate the etiology of sleep disturbances in this vulnerable population.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Spivey, J., Uong, E. & Debaun, M. Relationship Between Daytime Oxygen Desaturation and Sleep Related Breathing Disorder in Children With Sickle Cell Anemia.. Pediatr Res 56, 668 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200410000-00035
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200410000-00035