ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate serum cytokine concentrations in children with and without obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and to investigate the effects of OSA treatment on cytokines.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>Consecutive children with habitual snoring and symptoms suggestive of OSA were recruited. They completed a sleep apnoea symptom questionnaire, underwent physical examination and overnight polysomnography (PSG). OSA was diagnosed if obstructive apnoea index (OAI) >1. A blood sample was collected for analysis of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha after PSG.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>One hundred forty-two children (97 males) with a median (IQR) age of 11.1 years (9.0-12.8) were recruited. The commonest presenting symptoms were nocturnal mouth breathing, prone sleeping position and poor attention at school. Forty-seven children were found to have OSA and they had higher serum IL-6 [0.1 (0.1-0.4) vs 0.1 (0.1-0.1) pg/mL, P = 0.001] and IL-8 [1.7 (1.0-2.3) vs 1.3 (0.9-1.7) pg/mL, P = 0.029] concentrations compared to their non-OSA counterparts. Multiple regression analysis indicated that OAI was significantly associated with both IL-6 (r = 0.351, P <0.001) and IL-8 (r = 0.266, P = 0.002). Sixteen children underwent treatment and there was significant reduction in mean (SD) serum IL-8 after intervention [pre vs post levels of 1.9 (1.0) vs 1.1 (0.6) pg/mL, P = 0.001] independent of weight loss.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Children with OSA had elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines that normalised following treatment suggesting that the inflammatory response is potentially reversible. Early detection and intervention may be beneficial.</p>