OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of heart rate (HR) and heart rhythm in children with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). METHOD: Ninety-five patients underwent overnight PSG for clinically suspected OSAHS. According to the apnea index (AI), the patients were assigned to control group (AI < or = 1/h, SaO2 >92%, n = 27) or OSAHS group (AI > 1/h, SaO2 < 92%, n = 68). The HR and heart rhythm were monitored and compared between the two groups. RESULT: The maximum HR during sleep was significantly higher in OSAHS group while the minimum HR was significantly lower during sleep. Bradycardia and tachycardia is a common feature of pediatric OSAHS. There was a significantly higher incidence of tachycardia in OSAHS groups than in the control group. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that pediatric OSAHS might influence HR and heart rhythm.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Male ; Polysomnography ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; physiopathology