Sleep-disordered breathing in children with chronic kidney disease

Abstract

Background: The aim of our study was to ascertain the prevalence and type of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in paediatric patients with severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) based on the results of polysomnograms (PSGs). Methods: Overnight PSGs were conducted on children with CKD stages 3–5 (dialysis dependent). Data were collected on patient demographics from the medical records. Study participants and/or their caregivers completed the paediatric modification of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale Score, the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory at the time of the PSG. Results: Nineteen children were included in the study, of whom seven were on dialysis. The median (interquartile range) age at the time of the PSG was 13.5 (5.4–16.5) years, and eight (42 %) of the children were male. There was a 37 % (n = 7) prevalence of SDB in this cohort based on the PSG results. Central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea were found in three children each. The PSQ scores did not correlate with the obstructive apnea–hypopnea index. Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of SDB in this cohort of children with CKD. The PSG and validated sleep questionnaires yielded discordant results, reinforcing the limitations of diagnosing SDB in the CKD population based solely on sleep questionnaires.