Ultrasound Assessment of Tongue Characteristics in Children and Adolescents With Obesity

Haute Ecole Bruxelles-Brabant

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA); Obesity & Overweight; Pediatric Obesity

Treatments: Other: Submental ultrasound

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07370350

93018

Details and patient eligibility

About

This longitudinal observational study aims to validate ultrasound-based tongue markers related to tongue characteristics, including fat accumulation, morphologic and mechanical properties of the tongue in children and adolescents with obesity. Participants are assessed at baseline and after completion of a standardized 30-week inpatient weight-loss rehabilitation program at the Zeepreventorium (De Haan, Belgium). Tongue ultrasound parameters are examined in relation to anthropometric characteristics and obstructive sleep apnea condition.

Full description

This prospective observational cohort study investigates ultrasound-based tongue characteristics in children and adolescents with obesity. Participants undergo standardized submental tongue ultrasound examinations at baseline and after completion of a 30-week inpatient multidisciplinary weight-loss rehabilitation program.

Ultrasound measures include tongue morphology, fat-related imaging biomarkers, and mechanical properties assessed using shear-wave elastography. Anthropometric data and validated sleep-disordered breathing questionnaires are collected in parallel. Measurement reliability is evaluated, and associations between ultrasound parameters, anthropometric characteristics, and sleep-related outcomes are explored.

Enrollment: 100 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 6 to 18 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years
• Diagnosis of obesity
• Already enrolled in the inpatient weight-loss rehabilitation program at the Zeepreventorium
• Written informed consent from legal guardian and assent from the participant, following the legal requirements

Exclusion criteria

• Known orthopedic, traumatic, or rheumatologic conditions affecting the cervicocephalic region
• Contraindication to ultrasound examination
• Inability to comply with study procedures
• Inability to understand the procedures

Trial design

100 participants in 2 patient groups

Study group

Description:

Children and adolescents with obesity participating in a specialized inpatient multidisciplinary weight-loss rehabilitation program (30 weeks). As this is an observational study, tongue ultrasound (via a submental approach, a non-invasive, risk-free and harmless procedure) will be performed and basic anthropometric data (height, weight, neck circumference, hydration status) will be collected.

Treatment:

Other: Submental ultrasound

Control group

Description:

Healthy children and adolescents. As this is an observational study, tongue ultrasound (via a submental approach, a non-invasive, risk-free and harmless procedure) will be performed and basic anthropometric data (height, weight, neck circumference, hydration status) will be collected.

Treatment:

Other: Submental ultrasound