Heart failure is not a determinant of central sleep apnea in the pediatric population.

Background/objectives: Adults with heart failure (HF) have high prevalence of central sleep apnea (CSA). While this has been repeatedly investigated in adults, there is a deficiency of similar research in pediatric populations. The goal of this study was to compare prevalence of CSA in children with and without HF and correlate central apneic events with heart function.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of data from children with and without HF was conducted. Eligible children were less than 18 years old with echocardiogram and polysomnogram within 6 months of each other. Children were separated into groups with and without HF based on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Defining CSA as central apnea-hypopnea index (CAHI) more than 1/hour, the cohort was also classified into children with and without CSA for comparative study.

Results: A total of 120 children (+HF: 19, -HF: 101) were included. The +HF group was younger, with higher prevalence of trisomy 21, muscular dystrophy, oromotor incoordination, and structural heart disease. The +HF group had lower apnea-hypopnea index (median: 3/hour vs. 8.6/hour) and lower central apnea index (CAI) (median: 0.2/hour vs. 0.55/hour). Prevalence of CSA was similar in both groups (p = .195). LogCAHI was inversely correlated to age (Pearson correlation coefficient: -0.245, p = .022). Children with CSA were younger and had higher prevalence of prematurity (40% vs. 5.3%). There was no significant difference in LVEF between children with and without CSA. After excluding children with prematurity, relationship between CAHI and age was no longer sustained.

Conclusions: In contrast to adults, there is no difference in prevalence of CSA in children with and without HF. Unlike in adults, LVEF does not correlate with CAI in children. Overall, it appears that central apneic events may be more a function of age and prematurity rather than of heart function.