Objective: To investigate the influence of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) on children's growth.
Method: Fifty-three children diagnosed as OSAHS were included in the treatment group and underwent tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy, and 51 normal children were employed as the control group. Main data monitored by PSG and growth hormone (GH) in children of the treatment group were recorded before and after surgery, in addition, growth hormone, height and weight of children in the treatment group and control group were respectively recorded and compared.
Result: Height and weight of children with OSAHS before treatment were lower than that of the normal children and the difference was significant (P<0.05). Compared with the data before surgery, oxygen saturation of blood in children of treatment group recorded by PSG increased (P<0.05), while value of other data decreased (P<0.05). Growth hormone in children of the treatment group was lower than that of the control group and the difference between two group was significant (P<0.05), while the content of growth hormone in children of the treatment group elevated after 3 months postoperatively and at this time no difference was found between the two groups.
Conclusion: Children with OSAHS present the symptom of upper airway obstruction, which badly affects sleep quality and results in decreased secretion of growth hormone and finally the height and weight of children is got involved. Timely surgery is necessary to alleviate the symptom.