The relationship of hypertension with obesity and obstructive sleep apnea in adolescents.

Objectives: To assess the independent relationships of obesity and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with hypertension/elevated blood pressure (EBP) in adolescent patients.

Study Design: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on 501 patients (age 13-21 years) with three separate blood pressure measurements within 6 months of polysomnography. EBP was defined as average systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≤120 mm Hg; obesity as body mass index Z-score ≤1.

The safety of tracheostomy speaking valve use during sleep in children: a pilot study.

Purpose: One of the disadvantages of having a tracheostomy tube is not being able to vocalize. A speaking valve connected to a tracheostomy tube allows patients to vocalize. Some studies have shown that tracheostomy-speaking valve can improve swallowing, respiratory secretion management, and expedite decannulation.