Objective:To analyze the clinical and prognostic characteristics of rapid eye movement sleep related obstructive sleep apnea (REM-OSA) in children.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 62 children aged from 2 to 14 years who were admitted to Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University from December 2017 to April 2021, diagnosed with moderate to severe OSA by polysomnography monitoring (PSG), underwent adenoid tonsillectomy, and completed follow-up 6 months after surgery. There were 45 males (72.6%) and 17 females (27.4%). The age range was 2.0-12.3 years. All children completed the clinical data collection, PSG, OSA-18 quality of life questionnaire and Children′s Sleep questionnaire-sleep related breathing disorder subscale at baseline. PSG and OSA-18 quality of life questionnaire were reexamined at 6 months after surgery. Children were divided into REM-OSA group (33 cases) and non-REM-OSA group (29 cases) according to whether the obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (OAHI) during rapid eye movement sleep and OAHI during non-rapid eye movement sleep ratio was≥2. Baseline PSG parameters and scale scores, 6-month postoperative cure rate and OSA-18 quality of life questionnaire scores of the 2 groups were compared, and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 23.0 software.Results:There were no significant differences in age, sex, body mass index, neck circumference/height ratio, overweight or obesity, history of disease, tonsil and adenoid size between the two groups (all P>0.05). Compared with non-REM-OSA group, REM-OSA group had higher oxygen desaturation index and proportion of SpO2<90% of total sleep time ( Z=-2.723, P=0.006; Z=-3.414; P=0.001 respectively), and lower SpO 2 nadir ( Z=-3.957, P<0.001). The proportion of obstructive apnea in total respiratory events (related to anatomical factors) in REM-OSA group was higher than that in non-REM-OSA group ( t=2.840, P=0.006). However, the proportion of central apnea in total respiratory events and arousal index (related to functional factors) in REM-OSA group was lower than that in non-REM-OSA group ( t=-2.597, P=0.012; Z=-2.956, P=0.003), and there were no significant differences in other PSG parameters between the two groups (all P>0.05). There was an interaction effect between the two groups in the change trend of OSA cure rate at 6 months after surgery under different baseline OAHI (χ 2=4.282, P=0.039). Conclusions:The weight of anatomic factors and functional factors in the etiology of children with REM-OSA and non-REM OSA was different, and the postoperative OSA cure rate of children with different baseline OAHI changed in reverse trend.

Objective: To evaluate the endothelial function in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAS) children and to identify related factors of endothelial dysfunction. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Children with habitual snoring (snoring ≥3 nights per week) admitted to the ward of otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, Beijing Children′s Hospital were recruited to this study between 1^st June 2015 and 1^st March 2016. All children aged 3 to 11 years and of them 245 were boys and 110 were girls. All subjects underwent an overnight polysomnography (PSG), as well as endothelial function testing. All subjects were grouped into primary snoring (PS) and OSAS group according to the obstructive apnea hypopnea index (OAHI). T test or Wilcoxon test were used to compare the differences in PSG results between the two groups, and univariate and multivariate correlation analyses were used to explore the relevant factors affecting the endothelial function. Results: A total of 355 subjects were enrolled and 248 had OSAS, and 107 had PS. There were no significant differences in age, gender and body mass index (BMI) Z-score between the two groups (all P>0.05). OSAS group had higher OAHI, oxgen desaturation index and respiratory related arousal index (5.2 (2.2, 13.2) vs. 0.4 (0.1, 0.7), 4.1 (2.0, 13.1) vs. 0.5 (0.1, 1.0), 2.5 (1.0, 4.8) vs. 0.4 (0.1, 0.9), Z=-14.957, -11.790, -10.378, all P<0.01), and lower minimum oxygen saturation and reactive hyperemia index (RHI) than those of PS (0.89 (0.85, 0.92) vs. 0.94 (0.91, 0.95), 1.2±0.2 vs. 1.1±0.1, Z=-9.337, t=5.354, P<0.01). Univariate regression analysis showed that RHI was linearly correlated with age (parameter estimate=0.017, P<0.01), gender (parameter estimate=0.065, P<0.01), OAHI (parameter estimate=-0.023, P<0.01), oxygen desaturation index (parameter estimate=-0.019, P<0.01), respiratory related arousal index (parameter estimate=-0.031, P<0.01), and oxygen saturation nadir (parameter estimate=0.067, P=0.045). The relationship between BMI Z-score and RHI was quadratic. Multivariate regression analysis showed that age (parameter estimate=0.015, P<0.01), BMI Z-score (parameter estimate=0.040, P<0.01), BMI Z-score quadratic form (parameter estimate=-0.010, P<0.01), respiratory related arousal index (parameter estimate=-0.020, P<0.01) were independently correlated with RHI. Conclusions Children with OSAS have significant endothelial dysfunction compared with PS. Frequent arousals due to obstructive respiratory events during sleep may be a candidate risk factor for endothelial dysfunction in children with OSAS.

Establishing a targeted and suitable professional healthcare training model for pediatricians at primary level and exploring an effective, sustainable and innovative strategy for talent training are required in caring for children at large. The current study explored the methods and efficacy of " apprenticeship" mode originated from traditional Chinese medicine practice in primary pediatricians training. It is suggested that based on the framework of pediatric alliance, the " apprenticeship" mode could establish a fixed and precise one-to-one teaching mode in a short period, form a close, standard and persistent training system for talented pediatricians, thus effectively improving primary pediatric health care service.

Objective:To investigate the basic information and implementation of medical assistance for children of illness-caused poverty families.Methods:From March through September 2019, a customized questionnaire was used to collect by means of both field survey and on-site verification, the information of the sick children from such families registered on file from 17 counties in 6 provinces. These counties were the first to carry out the assistance pilot work under " Chinese Children Poverty Alleviation by Healthcare Program" . The data so acquired were subject to descriptive analysis.Results:A total of 312 questionnaires were recovered, and the median age of these child patients was 8.54 years. Diseases causing family poverty were mostly those in the circulatory system, nervous system, neoplastic disease of childhood and hematological disease, while unaffordability of medical bills ranked the top challenge when they seek medical services. Hierarchical diagnosis and treatment was made for 251 children: 193(76.89%)of them could be admitted to provincial or lower medical institutions, 43 children needed chronic disease management, and 15 children needed to be admitted by the National Children′s Medical Center for further diagnosis.Conclusions:The assistance for such families in poverty-stricken areas can be upgraded, by such means as disease prevention publicity and education, publicity of healthcare poverty alleviation policy awareness, improvement of medical competency of primary medical institutions and rational application of medical resources.

Objective: To investigate the sleep quality of children in Beijing and to analyze the related factors. Methods: The data were collected from the survey of 3-14 years old children in 7 urban districts of Beijing in 2015. By using multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method, 26 kindergartens and primary and secondary schools in 7 districts and counties, including Xicheng, Chaoyang, Changping, Shunyi, Fangshan, Huairou and Mentougou, were randomly selected, with a total of 11 420 children. Children′s sleep status was investigated with Children′s Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ), and the proportion of children with sleep quality problems when the PSQ score was greater than 7. Various sleep related factors were investigated with self-made questionnaire. A multilevel model was used to analyze the relationship between PSQ score and related factors. Results: The average PSQ score of the children was 3.60±2.69. The proportion of children with sleep quality problems was 8.87%(816/9 198). Multilevel model analysis showed that the younger the children, the higher the PSQ score (<6 years old vs. 6~12 years old vs. >12 years old: 3.94±2.58 vs. 3.58±2.66 vs. 3.30±2.84, F=33.015, P<0.001); male PSQ score higher than female (3.89±2.75 vs. 3.30±2.60, t=10.560, P<0.001); and snoring, obesity, father/mother snoring, playing games before bed, surfing the internet, eating and other factors were statistically related to PSQ. Conclusions Sleep quality of children in Beijing should not be neglected, especially preschool children with high PSQ scores. Parents should pay attention to children′s snoring problems and try to reduce some pre-sleep behaviors that may affect sleep quality.

Objective: To investigate the snoring status and related family factors of children from 3 to 14 years old in Beijing. Methods: From May to July, 2015, data of children from 3 to 14 years old were obtained from a status survey from 7 districts(Xicheng, Chaoyang, Changping, Shunyi, Fangshan, Huairou and Mentougou) in Beijing. A total of 11 420 children from 25 primary and middle schools were randomly selected. Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) and a self-administered questionnaire were carried out for the adopted children. Self-administered questionnaire included the snoring related family factors. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odd ratio(OR) with 95% confidence intervals for variables. Results: A total of 9 198 children meet the inclusion criteria and are analyzed in the study, of whom 901 (9.80%) were found with snoring behavior. The incidence of boys is higher than girls. Obese children take higher risk of snoring. Compared with younger children (≤6 years old), older children (≥12 years old) have a significantly lower risk of snoring (OR=0.464, 95%CI 0.368-0.585). There is no statistical association between full-term infants, infant feeding pattern, parental cigarette smoking and child snoring.The children with family history of snoring have a significantly higher risk of snoring occurrence. The educational background of mother is statistically related to children snoring (OR=1.241, 95%CI 1.058-1.457). Conclusions The incidence of children snoring in Beijing is 9.80%, male gender, obesity, and young age are all risk factors for children snoring. There is a significantly statistical relationship between snoring and related family factors, such as family snoring history and education experience.

Objective: To investigate the snoring status of school-aged children in Beijing and explore the association of snoring and academic performance. Methods: A total of 7 925 children aged from 6 to 14 were selected from 15 primary and middle schools at 7 districts (Xicheng, Chaoyang, Changping, Shunyi, Fangshan, Huairou and Mentougou) in Beijing in 2015, using multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method. The recruited children were asked to complete the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) and a questionnaire related to sleep behavior. The multiplelogistic regression was used to analyze the association of snoring and academic performance. Results: A total of 794 (12.44%) children showed a decline in academic performance among 6 383 eligible respondentsfor data analysis. 580 (9.08%) children with snoring was identified, of which 333 and 247 were in frequency of 1-2 times per week and frequency of ≥3 times per week, respectively; 357, 170 and 53 were in snoring grade Ⅰ, grade Ⅱ and grade Ⅲ, respectively. Compared with the children without snoring, the OR (95%CI) for children with 1-2 times per week and ≥3 times per week was 1.363 (1.000-1.857) and 1.605 (1.135-2.269), respectively; and the OR (95%CI) for children with grade Ⅰ, grade Ⅱ and grade Ⅲ of snoring was 1.226 (0.893-1.683), 1.595 (1.062-2.397) and 2.31 (1.17-4.565), respectively. Conclusion There is a statistical relationship between snoring and the decline of academic performance. The decline of academic performance positively associated with increased frequency and grade of snoring.

OBJECTIVE Aim to evaluate the mental level in 4-6 years old children with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS). METHODS Children who were diagnosed as OSAHS with a whole night PSG monitor in the sleep center between January 2015 and August 2016, and 30 healthy children were included in the study. Intelligent levels were evaluated at the enrollment day. The following intelligent levels evaluation questionnaires were used: Wechsler Intelligence Scale for children and infants. Intelligent levels were compared between the patient and healthy control groups. RESULTS The 60 children, including 30 children with OSAHS(patient group) and 30 healthy children(control group) were enrolled. Comparison of the patient versus the control groups revealed that total intelligence quotient(FIQ) was 96.59±12.60 vs 102.53±8.44; language capability(VIQ) was 94.00±13.24 vs 101.03±9.41; comprehension test was 5.96±2.5 vs 7.57±2.14; visual analysis was 8.85±2.32 vs 10.3±1.93. All the 4 values in the patient group were significantly lower than those in the control group(all P ＜0.05). The accumulated time of SO2＜90％ correlated with PIQ negatively and significantly. CONCLUSION The intelligent level of children with OSAHS was in the normal range, but lower than that of healthy group. Snoring affects the IQ level of 4-6 years old children, and the influence on PIQ is closely related to the accumulated time of SO2＜90％ in total sleep time.

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of sleep-related respiratory events in normal children and to provide normal polysomnographic parameters for diagnosing sleep-disordered breathing in children. Methods: Normal subjects between 3 and 14 years old were enrolled from 1 July 2014 to 31 December 2015 and the subjects received overnight polysomnography at the sleep center of our hospital. They were children of our hospital employees or were recruited from the communities who did not have sleep and respiratory disorders. The children were divided into preschool group (3-5 years) and school-age group (6-14 years). Apnea index (AI), obstructive apnea index (OAI), central apnea index (CAI), and mixed apnea index (MAI) were compared between the two groups. Data for continuous variables that showed normal distribution were expressed as ±s. M(P₂₅, P₇₅) were used when data were not normally distributed. Continuous variables that showed normal distribution were compared by using an independent-sample t-test. Wilcoxon-test was performed when data exhibited non-normal distribution. Differences in categorical data were tested with Chi-square test. Pearson correlation test was applied for the correlation analysis. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 115 normal children took part in the study including 40 in preschool group and 75 in school-age group. Children in both groups had a few sleep apnea events, most of which were central apneas, accounting for 80% and 70% of the total respiratory events respectively. Central apnea index in preschool children were significantly higher than that of school-age children (P<0.001), with median of 0.6 times/h and 0.1 times/h, respectively. Median OAI of both groups were 0.0 times/h without significant difference (P=0.748). Obstructive apnea events occurred mainly in the supine position in both groups. Conclusions Normal children may have a few apnea events in sleep that were predominantly central apnea. CAI of preschool children is significantly higher than that of school-age children. Obstructive sleep apnea is rare in normal children, and sleep apnea occurs mainly in the supine position.

Objective To determine the appropriate criteria of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in children.Method Children with snoring and healthy children were recruited from October 2014 to September 2015.Subjects were divided into four groups based on polysomnography (PSG).Group 1:children with obstructive apnea hypopnea index (OAHI) ≥ 1 (the OSAS criteria of the International Classification of Sleep Disorders,ICSD) but their AHI≤5 or OAI ≤1 (under the OSAS criteria of AHI ＞ 5 or OAI ＞ 1 by the American Thoracic Society,ATS);Group 2:children with OAHI ＜ 1 (the primary snoring criteria of the ICSD);Group 3:children with AHI ＞5 or OAI ＞ 1;and Group 4:normal children as controls.Sleep disorder scales and polysomnography parameters were compared among the four groups.Results A total of 1 115 children were included.There were 143,345,529 and 98 children in each group.After adjust for age,gender and body mass index(BMI),children in group 1 had higher total sleep disorder scale score (P＜0.01),as well as sub-scores for severe snoring (P ＜ 0.01),daytime behavior problem (P ＜0.01) and sleep related nighttime abnormality (P ＜0.05) compared with normal controls,and they had longer mean and longest duration of obstructive apnea and hypopnea and lower minimum oxygen saturation compared with children with obstructive AHI ＜ 1 (all P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01).Conclusion OA-H＞ 1 should be defined as the criteria of OSAS in children.