The association of obstructive sleep apnea with dyslipidemia in Korean children and adolescents: a single-center, cross-sectional study

Study Objectives: To evaluate whether obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and its severity are related to dyslipidemia and alanine transaminase elevation as a marker of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in children. Methods: The data collected frompolysomnography, laboratory measurements (lipid profile and liver enzyme), and bodymass index in children aged 0-18 years who visited the pediatric department between 2012 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: There were a total of 273 participants in the study (ages 0-6 years, 7-12 years, and 13-18 years: 61.9%, 26.4%, and 11.7%, respectively). In the ages 7-12 and 13-18 years groups, obesity was strongly associated with OSA severity (Cramer's V = 0.498, P <.001). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the OSA group than in the non-OSA group, irrespective of the presence of obesity. In addition, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly different between the OSA severity groups after adjusting for body mass index (P =.000). In participants who were obese, moderate and severe OSA were associated with alanine transaminase elevation (P =.023 and P =.045, respectively). Conclusions: This study suggests that OSA may be an independent risk factor for dyslipidemia and that OSA and obesity have a synergistic effect on alanine transaminase elevation. Early diagnosis and treatment of OSA from childhood, especially in obese children, will reduce metabolic complications.