The effect of treatment of obstructive sleep apnea on quality of life in children with cerebral palsy

Benefits of treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children with cerebral palsy could differ from those in otherwise healthy children. We examined the effects of OSA treatment by comparing a group of children with cerebral palsy treated with adenotonsillectomy or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) by nasal mask with controls who had not received treatment. Parents completed a structured questionnaire assessing change in their child's quality of life (QOL) and OSA symptoms after treatment, or between 6 months ago and the present time for controls. Fifty-one children were eligible, of whom 19 (37%) completed questionnaires: treatment group, n = 10 (adenotonsillectomy 7, CPAP 3); and controls, n = 9. The treatment group showed an improvement in OSA symptoms compared to controls, especially sleep disturbance (p = 0.005), daytime functioning (p = 0.03) and caregiver concern (p = 0.03). Parental QOL score improved by a mean of 18% in the treatment group (p = 0.06 for a difference from controls). Treatment of OSA in children with cerebral palsy leads to significant benefit in some aspects of health and QOL.