OBJECTIVETo study the efficacy and safety of noninvasive ventilation (NV) for treating children with obstructive sleep apnea.

METHODSTwenty-one children confirmed obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) with full-night polysomnography (PSG) or ambulatory screening device were enrolled in the study. The NV treatment was carried out successfully for all cases. Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) compliance data were gathered via clinical follow-up examination, telephone interview, or mailed questionnaire. The statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 11.0 statistical software. Pre- and on-nCPAP parameters were compared with paired t-test. Twenty-one OSAHS children (17 boys, 4 girls) were enrolled into the study. The mean age of the children was 4. 5 years; ranging from 40 days to 11 years.

RESULTSnCPAP pressure was increased from 4 cm H2O by (1 cm H2O = 0.098 kPa) 0.2 cm H2O each time to the treating pressure which was between 4.8 and 16 cm H2O. Before nCPAP treatment, apnea hypopnea index (AHI) was (80.8 +/- 45.1)/h, the lowest pulse oxygen saturation (SPO2) 0.557 +/- 0.135 and SPO2 <0.90 time during sleep (42.9 +/- 31.9) %, which were much worse compared to that with nCPAP treatment, the above parameters decreased to (6.7 +/- 12.4)/h, 0.862 +/- 0.082, (1.1 +/- 2.5) % respectively(P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONSNoninvasive ventilation is a safe and effective treatment for OSAHS children. It is possible to use nCPAP as a short-term treatment or as a long-term treatment at home.