Erythropoietin levels in children with obstructive sleep apnea

• Published in: International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology 2021-12, Vol.151, p.110932-110932, Article 110932
• Main Authors: Kalogritsas, Nick D., Lachanas, Vasileios A., Liakos, Panagiotis, Alexopoulos, Emmanuel I., Beka, Despoina, Petinaki, Efthymia, Hajiioannou, Jiannis, Simos, George, Skoulakis, Charalampos E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomarkers; Child; Child, Preschool; Erythropoietin; Erythropoietin - blood; Humans; OSA; Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea; Polysomnography; Prospective Studies; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive - diagnosis
• ISSN: 0165-5876; 1872-8464
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2021.110932

High serum erythropoietin (EPO) levels have been reported in adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), however there is a lack of related literature in children with OSA. The main objective of this study was to explore the potential use of EPO as a pediatric OSA biomarker by exploring the relationship between serum EPO levels and the presence of pediatric OSA. A prospective study was conducted on children (4–12 years old) referred for overnight PSG. Thirty (30) consecutive children with mild. 30 consecutives with moderate, and 30 consecutives with severe OSA (OSA group), as well as 30 consecutive children with AHI≤1 (non-OSA group) were recruited. Morning blood specimens after PSG studies were obtained in order to compare EPO levels. Finally, 115 children included for analysis. Non-OSA group consisted of 29 children (mean age: 6.93 ± 2.10) and OSA-group of 86 children (mean age: 6.78 ± 2.53). Mean EPO values for the non-OSA and OSA groups were 5.46 ± 2.29 mIU/ml and 8.33 ± 4.10 mIU/ml respectively. OSA-group had significant higher EPO levels than non-OSA (P: 0.01) while EPO levels were significantly correlated with AHI (p