Analysis of sleep and symptoms related to OSAS in a group of paediatric patients with Down syndrome

Aim Good sleep is fundamental for development, particularly in children. Sleep can be fragmented by obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). Children with Down syndrome (DS) are more likely to have obstructive sleep apnoea, due to their craniofacial characteristics. The diagnosis can be made through the administration of specific questionnaires. The purpose of the study is to analyse the results obtained from the administration of a questionnaire for the screening of OSAS in the paediatric population with DS. Materials and methods The questionnaire chosen is a questionnaire validated in Italian and administered to 139 parents of children with DS. This questionnaire investigates the diurnal and nocturnal symptoms related to OSAS and their frequency. Results Among the most relevant data, it has emerged more frequently the presence of snoring, respiratory breaks during sleep, the assumption of unusual positions and daytime sleepiness. Conclusion This study wants to state the importance of the administration of questionnaires for the screening of OSAS in children with Down syndrome and the role of the dentist in the early diagnosis