In obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, a person stops breathing multiple times during the night. It is often accompanied by heavy snoring. About 2% of children have OSA, which is frequently treated by removing the tonsils and adenoids.

Gaining weight is known to worsen OSA in adults, but it's not clear what factors increase the likelihood that a child with mild OSA will experience worsening of their symptoms, Dr A M Li of The Chinese University of Hong Kong and colleagues are reported to have said.

The study

The researchers followed 56 children with mild OSA for 2 years. They were able to re-assess 45 of the children. In 13, OSA had gotten worse.

The children whose sleep apnea had worsened showed a greater increase, on average, in their waist size than the children whose condition hadn't worsened.

In addition, more of the children who experienced a worsening of OSA had large tonsils at the study's outset and at follow-up. These children were also more likely to habitually snore at both time points, while boys were more likely than girls to see their OSA get worse.

Lose weight, sleep tight

Li and colleagues say children with mild OSA apnea and large tonsils, especially boys, should be followed closely so that any worsening of the condition can be detected early. And, they add, weight control is an important aspect of managing mild OSA in children.

Pic: Justyna Furmanczyk