Conclusions: Sleep position in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) did not affect the sleep architecture. Supine position had a significant influence on respiratory parameters and gas exchange. Lateral position did not affect respiratory parameters in children aged 3-5 years and little affected gas exchange except right lateral decubitus (RLD) position in children aged 11-13 years. Children with OSA breathe best when in the left lateral decubitus (LLD) position.
Objective: To analyze the relationship between OSA and body position during sleep in children.
Subjects and methods: A total of 45 consecutive children (age class A: 3-5 years, n = 15; B: 6-10 years, n = 14; C: 11-13 years, n = 16) with OSA were studied. The following variables were evaluated: apnea hypopnea index (AHI) in supine, LLD, and RLD positions, sleep architecture, respiratory parameters, and oxygen saturation.
Results: There were no no significant differences in AHI between LLD AHI, RLD AHI, and supine position in age class A, LLD AHI was significantly lower than supine AHI in age classes B and C. There was no correlation between position AHI and sleep architecture. There was no correlation between lateral position AHI and the parameters of respiratory disturbance in age class A. The parameters of respiratory disturbance were related to LLD and RLD position in age class B; supine and RLD position in age class C were similar. Position AHI was related to some of the parameters of gas exchange except for RLD AHI in age classes A and B.