Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Obese Children and Teenagers - Occurrence and Importance of Intervention

Zealand University Hospital

Status: Completed

Conditions: Sleep Apnea, Obstructive; Pediatric Obesity

Treatments: Behavioral: Weight loss

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02463201

SJ-404

Details and patient eligibility

About

The prevalence of childhood obesity has increased at an alarming rate over the last decades, both globally and in Denmark. There are a number of serious sequelae related to obesity, such as hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, fatty liver and prediabetes. Obesity is found to be a risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA in childhood is known to be associated with cardiovascular complications, neurocognitive problems and reduced quality of life. The correlation between obesity and OSA is still poorly understood. Early detection and intervention is of great importance as the health consequences related to OSA as well as obesity are severe. Adenotonsillectomy is recommended as first-line therapy in children with OSA. However, only around 25% of obese children benefit from this treatment compared to around 75% of normal-weight children suggesting that there might be other structural factors predisposing to OSA in obese children.

In this study the investigators aim to clarify the impact of obesity in the development of OSA. The prevalence of OSA in obese children will be investigated. Furthermore the purpose is to assess the effect of weight loss on OSA.

Enrollment: 236 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 7 to 18 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age: 7-18 years
• BMI > 90th percentile for age and gender

Exclusion criteria

• Neuromuscular disorders
• Craniofacial syndromes / malformations
• Laryngeal and tracheal malformations

Trial design

236 participants in 1 patient group

Obese children and adolescents

Description:

Attending a weightloss programme, that consist of lifestyle counseling, dietary restriction and exercise. The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) will be investigated in group. Children diagnosed with OSA will be followed to investigate if weight loss changes the condition.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Weight loss