Serum leukotriene B levels, tonsillar hypertrophy and sleep-disordered breathing in childhood.

Objectives: In children with snoring, increased production of leukotriene B (LTB) may promote tonsillar hypertrophy and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) or conversely SDB may enhance LTB synthesis. We explored whether: i) high LTB serum levels predict tonsillar hypertrophy; and ii) SDB severity correlates with LTB serum concentration.

Methods: Normal-weight children with SDB or controls underwent polysomnography and measurement of LTB serum concentration.