OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNOEA AND MALOCCLUSION IN EARLY PAEDIATRIC PATIENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY

PURPOSE. To evaluate associations between obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) and malocclusion features in early paediatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Children from 3 to 8 years old began a therapeutic care pathway for the diagnosis and treatment of OSAS. All subjects underwent clinical dental examination to record the following data: Dental occlusion (Angle Class I, II, III); skeletal and dental malocclusion (open bite, crossbite, deep bite, overjet) and narrow palate. A polysomnographic examination was conducted to obtain a definitive diagnosis of OSAS, and two groups were identified: OSAS+ (Group 1) and OSAS - (Group 2). Chi-squared testing was performed to compare variables between the two groups. Odds ratio testing was performed to explore statistically significant values. RESULTS. Two hundred and nine children were assessed, 92 of which were classified as OSAS+ and 117 OSAS-. No statistically significant differences were found between groups for Angle Class I, II or III, open bite, deep bite, or greater overjet (P >0.05). Statistically significant differences were found between groups for crossbite, pure and mixed, (P = 0.009; OR 2.54; 95% CI 1.25-5.16), and narrow palate (P = 0.001; OR 2.55; 95%CI 1.45-4.49) CONCLUSIONS. Certain malocclusions, specifically crossbite and narrow palate, could be associated with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome in children.