Evaluation of nasal resistance in children with sleep disordered breathing

Aim: Aim of our study was to evaluate the role of Anterior Active Rhinomanometry (RAA) in the diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) in children with sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in order to avoid the overuse of Polysomnography (PSG) Methods: Children with SDB,referred to our Pediatric Sleep Centre, underwent Sleep Clinical Record (SCR), Nocturnal Pulsossimetry, PSG and RAA. RAA was performed 3 times for each patient and the mean value of Total Nasal Resistance and Nasal Respiratory Flow has been recorded. A group of patients without a history of SDB and respiratory diseases was evaluated with SCR and RAA and considered as a control group. Results: A group of 29 children (55,2% male, age 4-16, mean age 7,0±2,9) with SDB was enrolled and compared with a control group of 16 patients (43,8% male, age 4-16, mean age 6,9±2,22). Significant differences in term of SCR (mean value 6,18±2 vs 9,18±2,45; p Children with SDB were divided in two groups depending from the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI): group 1 (AHI Conclusions: RAA if associated with SCR and nocturnal pulsossimetry could improve the diagnosis of OSAS when PSG is not available.