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research letter

Indian Pediatr 2018;55: 433-434

Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children with Nocturnal Enuresis

 

Shikha Jain1, Girish Chandra Bhatt1, Abhishek Goya2, Vikas Gupta3 and Bhavna Dhingra1

Departments of 1Pediatrics, 2Pulmonology & Sleep Medicine and 3ENT; AIIMS, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Email: [email protected]

 


There is increasing evidence on the association of monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE) with obstructive sleep apnea. In this communication, we share our experience of four patients with Primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (PMNE) with positive Sleep-related breathing disorder (SRBD) score who underwent detailed polysomnography, and were either refractory to desmopressin treatment or relapsed on discontinuation of desmopressin.

Keywords: Bedwetting, Polysomnography, Sleep-related breathing disorder.

 


T
here is increasing evidence on the association of monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE) with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) [1]. Although the pathophysiology behind increased frequency of enuresis in patients with OSA is not ascertained, some studies suggest role of Brain-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) that is released from cardiac myocytes after cardiac wall distension. OSA leads to increased intrabdominal pressure and altered systemic blood pressure that induces natriuresis and polyuria by altering levels of brain natriuretic peptides [2-4].

Recently, we reported a high (23.3%) prevalence of sleep related breathing disorders in patients with MNE [5]. In this report, we share our experience of thirty children with MNE visiting our Pediatric Nephrology clinic. Out of these 30 cases, four had positive sleep related breathing disorder (SRBD) score, and thus underwent detailed polysomnography.

Records of thirty patients registered for MNE between September 2014 to September 2015 were retrieved. As per our protocol, every patient with nocturnal enuresis is screened for the presence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) through SRBD questionnaire along with detailed history, clinical and neurological examination. The Pediatric SRBD scale contains a total of 22 items and it is validated screening tool to detect sign and symptoms of OSA. Scores >0.33 are considered positive and suggestive of high risk for a pediatric sleep-related breathing disorder. Four children with monosymptomatic enuresis who had positive (SRBD) score were called upon for overnight polysomnography in the sleep laboratory of the institute. Two of these patients had previously taken desmopressin but were refractory to medical treatment while other two patients were referred to us as they had relapse on discontinuation of desmopressin.

Details of the sleep study such as periodic limb movements (PLMS), apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), EEG, snoring index, and saturation dipping and arousal index was noted. Severity of the disease was classified as primary snoring (AHI <1), mild to moderate OSA (AHI 1-5), and severe OSA (AHI >5). Details of the polysomnographic findings are given in the Table I. Two of the four patients had severe OSA while one each had mild and moderate OSA. PLMS was positive in three out of four cases. Patients with severe OSA underwent adenotonsillectomy and achieved dryness over a period of 4-6 weeks. Other two patients with mild to moderate nocturnal enuresis achieved remission with tapering dose of desmopressin.

TABLE I Clinical and Polysomnography Findings in Enuretic Children with Sleep-Related Breathing Disorder
Age/ Sign and Symptoms BMI (kg/m2) Tonsils PLMS AHI OSA Lowest oxygen Arousal
gender saturation Index
15/F Nocturnal enuresis, restless leg syndrome, sleep talking, acting  in dreams 23.3 Grade 2 Positive 1.6 Mild 93% 8.6
10/F Nocturnal enuresis, snoring 24.2 Grade 3 Positive 4.4 Moderate 94% 16
12/F Nocturnal enuresis 14.4 Grade 4 Negative 11.5 Severe 95% 8
5/F Nocturnal enuresis, weight gain 25.8 Grade 2 Positive 7.7 Severe 95% 7
BMI: Body mass index; PLMS: Periodic leg movements; AHI: Apneic-hypoapenic index; OSA: Obstructive sleep apnea.

Findings from this series show that MNE is associated with OSA, and children with MNE should be screened for presence of OSA. A high index of suspicion is required in the MNE patients who are refractory to medical therapy or develop relapses on discontinuation of desmopressin.

Contributors: GC,SJ,ABG: conceptualized the study and wrote initial draft of manuscript; VG,BD: helped in writing and editing the final version of the manuscript. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript.

Funding: None; Competing interest: None stated.

References

1. Van Herzeele C, Dhondt K, Roels SP,  Raes A, Hoebeke P, Groen LA,  et al. Desmopressin (melt) therapy in children with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis and nocturnal polyuria results in improved neuropsychological functioning and sleep. Pediatr Nephrol. 2016;31:1477-84.

2. Waleed FE, Samia AF, Samar MF. Impact of sleep-disordered breathing and its treatment on children with primary nocturnal enuresis. Swiss Med Wkly. 2011;141:w13216.

3. Kaditis AG, Alexopoulos EI, Hatzi F, Kostadima E, Kiaffas M, Zakynthinos E, et al. Overnight change in brain natriuretic peptide levels in children with sleep-disordered breathing. Chest. 2006;130:1377–84.

4. Jain S, Bhatt GC. Advances in the management of primary nocturnal enuresis in children. Paediatr Int Child Health. 2016;36:7-14.

5. Choudhary B, Patil R, Bhatt GC,  Pakhare AP, Goyal A, Aswin P, et al. Association of sleep disordered breathing with mono-symptomatic nocturnal enuresis: A study among school children of central India. PLoS One. 2016;11:e0155808.


 

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