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Characterization of a sleep architectural phenotype in children with Down syndrome

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Abstract

Purpose

Evidence suggests that while the high prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children with Down syndrome (DS) likely contributes to sleep fragmentation, their poor sleep is only partly attributable to the presence of OSA. We hypothesized that a sleep phenotype exists for DS, which would be independent of OSA and evident across childhood.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of sleep architecture in children with DS together with matched controls. All subjects underwent baseline polysomnography between January 1985 and January 2013. Case-control pairs were compared according to age group.

Results

Sleep characteristics were compared in 130 DS subjects aged 0–17.8 years (median 5.8 years) and 130 matched controls. Body mass index z-scores were similar between cases and controls. Compared to controls, children with DS had a lower sleep efficiency and higher percentage of slow-wave sleep at 2–6.9, 7–11.9, and 12–17.9 years (p <0.05 for all) as well as reduced rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep percentage, significant at 7–11.9 years (p <0.05). Children with DS exhibited increased N1 sleep at 2–6.9 years but decreased N1 sleep at 12–17.9 years compared to controls (p <0.05 for both).

Conclusions

Children with DS exhibit altered sleep architecture when compared to non-DS children of similar age and OSA severity. Notably, reduced REM sleep and increased slow-wave sleep was seen independent of OSA in children with DS over 2 years. Amounts of both REM and non-REM sleep may have important implications for learning, memory, and behavior, all the more significant in this population with baseline neurocognitive impairment.

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Abbreviations

DS:

Down syndrome

OSA:

Obstructive sleep apnea

PSG:

Polysomnography

REM:

Rapid eye movement

NREM:

Non-rapid eye movement

TST:

Total sleep time

AHI:

Apnea/hypopnea index

SFI:

Sleep fragmentation index

BMI:

Body mass index

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Acknowledgments

Dr. O’Brien was partially supported by grants from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (K23 HL095739, R21 HL089918, and R21 HL087819).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Ritchie Centre, Monash Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Lauren C. Nisbet

  2. Comprehensive Sleep Medicine, Inc., Seattle, WA, USA

    Nicole N. Phillips

  3. Sleep Disorders Center, Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Med Inn Room C736, 1500 E Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 481095845, USA

    Timothy F. Hoban & Louise M. O’Brien

  4. Sleep Disorders Centre, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Louise M. O’Brien

Authors
  1. Lauren C. Nisbet
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  2. Nicole N. Phillips
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  3. Timothy F. Hoban
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  4. Louise M. O’Brien
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Correspondence to Louise M. O’Brien.

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Nisbet, L.C., Phillips, N.N., Hoban, T.F. et al. Characterization of a sleep architectural phenotype in children with Down syndrome. Sleep Breath 19, 1065–1071 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11325-014-1094-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11325-014-1094-6

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