Journal of Sleep Disorders & Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

Impact of COVID-19 on Seasonality of Pediatric OSA: An Experience from the University-Level Sleep Lab

Sukhkaran S. Aulakh, Jamie L. Funamura, Roberto N. Solis, Farrukh R. Virani and Kiran Nandalike*

Objective: Building on previous work demonstrating greater severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in children in winter and spring months due to increased Upper Respiratory Infection (URI) and allergens, along with reports of decreased frequency of URIs with universal infection precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study examines seasonality in pediatric OSA and the effects of the current pandemic at a university-level sleep laboratory.

Methods: In this retrospective chart review we included children under 18 years of age without significant medical co-morbidities, who underwent Polysomnography (PSG) at University of California, Davis sleep lab. We compared the variability in Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) between the seasons and compared the demographics, PSG parameters, seasonal variation in AHI between the pre-pandemic (December 2017-March 2020) and pandemic (March 2020-September 2021) periods.

Results: Of the 625 studies, 423 pre-pandemic and 202 pandemic studies, there were no differences in the total number of OSA cases, number of mild to severe OSA cases or obstructive AHI variability between seasons in years before or during the pandemic. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that obesity and age less than 5 years have a significant association with total obstructive AHI over seasonal or pandemic timing.

Conclusion: Seasonal pattern did not exist in our referred population either before or during the pandemic. Delaying surgical intervention for retesting in a favourable season may not be warranted based on our study results. Obese children and children less than 5 years should continue to be referred for PSG on suspicion of OSA.

Published Date: 2022-06-30; Received Date: 2022-05-30