Purpose: The aims of this study were to assess the interest of pulse wave amplitude (PWA) and actigraphy for characterizing sleep in children with sleep-disordered breathing and to evaluate PWA and actigraphy to assess the efficacy of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV).
Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of children with sleep-disordered breathing. Patients were classified to upper airway obstructive disease (UAO) group or non-obstructive disease (non-UAO) group. Pulse oximetry (SpO2) and PWA were measured by photoplethysmography. Autonomic micro-arousals (AA) and AA related to SpO2 desaturations above 4 % (AA + DS4%) were quantified. The fragmentation index, sleep efficiency, sleep duration, and sleep latency were measured with actigraphy. Transcutaneous carbon dioxide (PtcCO2) was monitored. NPPV was started in case of severe OSA.
Results: AA + DS4% were more common in the UAO (n = 15) than the non-UAO group (n = 13) (p < 0.001). All nocturnal gas exchange parameters were worse in the UAO group. Eight children required NPPV. AA + DS4%, maximal PtcCO2, percent of time with PtcCO2 > 50 mmHg, and percent of time with SpO2 < 90 % decreased significantly after 1 month of NPPV.
Conclusions: The analysis of AA + DS4% is very informative for the grading of the severity of OSA and for the efficacy of NPPV in children with sleep-disordered breathing.