Plasma Natriuretic Peptides in Children and Adolescents with Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Their Changes Following Intervention

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate circulating natriuretic peptides (NP) concentration in obese and non-obese children and adolescents with and without obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and their levels following OSA treatment. Methods: Subjects with habitual snoring and symptoms suggestive of OSA were recruited. They underwent physical examination and overnight polysomnography (PSG). OSA was diagnosed if obstructive apnea–hypopnea index (OAHI) was ≥1/h. Fasting serum atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were taken after overnight PSG. The subjects were divided into obese, non-obese, with and without OSA groups for comparisons. Results: One hundred fourteen children (77 were boys) with a median [interquartile range (IQR)] age of 10.8 (8.3–12.7) years (range: 2.4–11.8 years) were recruited. Sixty-eight subjects were found to have OSA. NP levels did not differ between subjects with and without OSA in both obese and non-obese groups. Stepwise multiple linear regressions revealed that body mass index (BMI) z-score was the only independent factor associated with NP concentrations. Fifteen children with moderate-to-severe OSA (OAHI >5/h) underwent treatment and there were no significant changes in both ANP and BNP levels after intervention. Conclusion: Body mass index rather than OSA was the main determinant of NP levels in school-aged children and adolescents.