Prevalence of malocclusions and oral dysfunctions in children with persistent sleep-disordered breathing after adenotonsillectomy in the long term

Study objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of craniofacial/orthodontic abnormalities and oral dysfunctions in a population of children with persistent sleep-disordered breathing despite adenotonsillectomy.

Methods: Medical charts of 4,000 children with sleep-disordered breathing operated on in a tertiary hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Patients reporting persistent sleep-disordered breathing symptoms were invited to an orthodontic/myofunctional evaluation following the Sleep Clinical Score), followed by a 1-night ambulatory type III sleep study.

Results: One hundred nonsyndromic symptomatic patients were examined (mean age 8.8 ± 3.5 years), from 1 to 12 years after surgery (mean 4.6 ± 3.1 years); 24% were overweight/obese; 69 had a sleep study. Although prevalent, oronasal abnormalities and malocclusions were not specifically associated with pathological sleep parameters (cartilage hypotonia 18%, septal deviation 5%, short lingual frenulum 40%). Malocclusions were associated with a higher respiratory event index in children under 8 years only, whereas an impaired nasal dilator reflex and tongue immaturity were associated with an increased obstructive respiratory event index in all patients (1.72 ± 2.29 vs 0.72 ± 1.22 events/h, P = .011) and Respiratory Event Index, respectively (3.63 ± 3.63 vs 1.19 ± 1.19 events/h). Male sex, phenotype, nasal obstruction, oral breathing, and young age at surgery (< 3 years) were significantly related to higher respiratory event index. Using the Sleep Clinical Score > 6.5 cut-off, patients with persistent sleep apnea were significantly distinct from chronic snoring (2.72 ± 2.67 vs 0.58 ± 0.55, P < .01).

Conclusions: Oronasal anatomical and functional abnormalities were quite prevalent and various in persistent sleep-disordered breathing after adenotonsillectomy. Nasal disuse and tongue motor immaturity were associated with a higher obstructive respiratory event index in the long term, whereas craniofacial risk factors might have a more pronounced impact at younger age.