Abstract
BACKGROUND Systemic inflammation is important in pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Several different morbidity biomarkers have been proposed for OSAS over the last years.
OBJECTIVES In this study, we aimed to evaluate the role of blood neutrophil to lymphocyte (N/L) ratio, an easily accessible marker of subclinical inflammation, in pediatric OSAS and comparing with C-reactive protein (CRP) and clinical findings.
METHODS Pediatric patients with sleep disordered breathing (SDB) were enrolled. Children with acute or chronic inflammatory disease, any systemic infection, cardiovascular, metabolic or pulmonary diseases were excluded.All children underwent a general clinical examination, sleep clinical record (SCR), polysomnography (PSG) and blood tests.
RESULTS We enrolled 62 children (mean age 5.5 ± 2.8 years, M=38). Twelve children were habitual snorers and 50 had OSAS. We found in OSAS patients significant correlation between CRP and N/L ratio (r= 0.70, p < 0.001). N/L ratio was significantly higher in obese children with OSAS (p<0.05), and no correlations were found with tonsillar hypertrophy, craniofacial characteristics and skeletal malocclusions. CRP levels were higher in OSAS children when compared with habitual snorers (p = 0.02).
CONCLUSIONS This preliminary study confirm that N/L ratio is a possible marker of inflammation even in children with OSAS.
- Copyright ©the authors 2016