The effect of continuous positive airway pressure on obstructive sleep apnea in children with syndromic craniosynostosis

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common in children with syndromic craniosynostosis (SC). However, objective data on the treatment of OSA in children with SC remain inadequate. This study aimed to explore the efficacy of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in the management of OSA in children with SC.

A retrospective study was performed in children with SC and OSA diagnosed by polysomnography (PSG), which was defined as an apnea hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 1. Patients were included if they were treated with CPAP and had baseline PSG and follow-up sleep studies. Clinical and demographic data were collected from all enrolled subjects.

A total of 45 children with SC and OSA were identified, with an average age of 6.8 ± 4.7 years. Among them, 36 cases had moderate to severe OSA (22 with severe OSA) and received CPAP therapy followed by post-treatment sleep studies. Notably, there was a significant reduction in the AHI observed after CPAP treatment (3.0 [IQR: 1.7, 4.6] versus 38.6 [IQR: 18.2, 53.3] events/h; P < 0.001).

CPAP is effective and acceptable in treating severe OSA in children with SC.