APNEIA DO SONO EM CRIANÇAS COM SÍNDROME DE DOWN: UMA REVISÃO DE LITERATURA

Abstract

Objective: To gather and analyze data of Obstructive  Sleep Apnea (OSA) in children with Down Syndrome (DS), providing an in-depth discussion on diagnostic methods and treatment options tailored to each level of severity of these disorders. Sources of Data: Original articles evaluating OSA in children with DS were included, with no restrictions regarding sex or race. Studies published in Portuguese, English, and Spanish from 2019 to July 2024 were considered, excluding reviews, opinions, editorials, letters, case reports, and case series. The search was conducted in the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, LILACS and Embase.  A manual review of the references from the included studies was also performed. The research was conducted in June and July 2024. Synthesis of Data: Out of 1.224 retrieved articles, 115 studies were ultimately included. An additional 48 references were identified through manual reference checking and added to this literature review, totaling 163 articles. Upon reviewing the selected studies, it was found that the gold standard for diagnosing OSA in children with DS is Full Night Polysomnography (PSG), and the most frequently mentioned treatment in the studies is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). However, it is important to emphasize that each child presents a specific developmental level, and in some cases, surgical intervention becomes necessary. Conclusion: According to the studies analyzed, the relationship between OSA and children with DS is influenced by craniofacial anatomical abnormalities that compromise proper airflow. Approximately 90% of children with DS may present this condition, highlighting the severity of this association.