Chest
Volume 111, Issue 1, January 1997, Pages 170-173
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Clinical Investigations: Sleep and Breathing
High Prevalence of Allergic Sensitization in Children With Habitual Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea

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Study objective

To determine whether allergic sensitization occurs frequently in children with habitual snoring and whether allergy predicts the occurrence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in snoring children.

Design

Prospective study of 39 children with habitual snoring who were referred for polysomnography.

Setting

Pediatric pulmonary sleep disorders clinic in a tertiary referral center.

Measurements

Subjects underwent a complete history and physical examination. To assess for the presence of allergic sensitization, a multiantigen radioallergosorbent test (RAST) was performed on serum samples. Subjects then underwent nocturnal polysomnography to determine the presence and severity of OSAS.

Results

Fourteen subjects (36%) demonstrated sensitivity to allergens; this is higher than expected for the general pediatric population. The frequency of OSAS was increased in subjects with positive RAST results compared to those with negative RAST results (57% vs 40%; x2=9.11; p<0.01).

Conclusion

Allergy is frequently present in pediatric patients with habitual snoring. Furthermore, the presence of allergy is associated with an increased risk of OSAS in this population.

Key words

allergy
habitual snoring
obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
pediatrics

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Supported by a grant from the American Lung Association. Manuscript received December 18, 1995; revision accepted August 5, 1996.

Presented in part at the American Thoracic Society meeting, May 25, 1994, Boston.