Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-15-2019

Identifier

DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.7968; PMCID: PMC6778355

Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Currently, there are no universally accepted guidelines for diagnosis and management of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in infants. The purpose of this study was to survey pediatric sleep medicine providers regarding their current practice patterns for diagnosis and management of SDB in infants.

METHODS: An anonymous, web-based survey with 71 questions was distributed via the PEDSLEEP and Ped-Lung listserv, which serve as a hub of communication for pediatric sleep and pulmonary medicine providers worldwide.

RESULTS: Fifty-four providers from eight countries completed the survey. Ninety-six percent of providers reported performing sleep studies in infants with 53% performing more than 30 studies per year. There was no consensus on the definition of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in infants when using an obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (AHIo) cutoff: AHIo > 1 (30%), AHIo > 2 (35%), AHIo > 5 (24%), AHIo > 10 (2%) and other (9.3%). Thirty-six percent did not use pediatric criteria to define severity of OSA in infants. Opinions regarding management of five typical SDB cases were solicited and the results varied among respondents. Most of the providers (89%) thought that more research is needed to gather normative sleep data in infants and that their practice would benefit from evidence- based guidelines for diagnosis and management of SDB in infants (98%).

CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate substantial variability in practice patterns for diagnosis and management of SDB in infants. Further research and consensus guidelines are needed to ensure optimal care for infants with SDB.

Journal Title

J Clin Sleep Med

Volume

15

Issue

10

First Page

1427

Last Page

1431

Keywords

infants; sleep apnea; sleep-disordered breathing; survey

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