Hypoxic burden as a cause of cardiovascular morbidity in childhood obstructive sleep apnea

The hypoxic burden predicts cardiovascular morbidity/mortality in adult obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Our study shows that in children with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, despite similar levels of obstructive apnea-hypopnea index, those with higher hypoxic burden show cardiac autonomic nervous system dysfunction and increased daytime blood pressure. This study is the first one suggesting that the hypoxic burden is a valuable marker of cardiovascular morbidity in childhood obstructive sleep apnea.