Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Fátima Rosana Albertini, Carlos Tadeu dos Santos Dias, Célia Marisa Rizzatti-Barbosa,  Rubens Nelson Amaral de Assis Reimão

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS)affects children worldwide and might be associated with underdeveloped maxillary growth, behavioral abnormalities, neuro-cognitive impairment and other complications associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate lateral tele radiography (tele-X-ray) used for the diagnosis of OSAS in children with ADHD.  Methodology: Two tele-X-ray images were taken of each child (n=23), both genders, aged 7 to 13 years. Images were obtained considering two different positions: habitual occlusion (HO) and mandibular rest (MR). The narrowest airway in the naso-oro-hypopharyngeal region was measured and data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation. Results: Tele-X-ray images revealed enlarged adenoids in 19 children (83%) and hypertrophic tonsils in all children. Twenty-one children (91%) presented a low lingual apex, 13 (56.5%) maxillary retrognathia, and 9 (39%) mandibular retrognathia. Pearson’s correlation showed a value of -0.78 concerning the upper pharyngeal airway and adenoid. A reduction in the nasopharyngeal airway resulted in an increase in the oropharyngeal space (P = -0.58). Conclusion: Tele-X-ray can be used for an interdisciplinary diagnosis of OSAS in children with ADHD.
Keywords: diagnosis, obstructive sleep apnea, teleradiography, attention deficit hyperactivity.