ABSTRACT Aim Children with Prader‐Willi syndrome (PWS) are at increased risk of both central (CSA) and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Studies examining the effects of growth hormone have focused on older children; however, therapy is often initiated before the age of 2 years. We determined the effects of age on (1) the number of children diagnosed with OSA and CSA; (2) the sleep and respiratory characteristics and (3) the effects of growth hormone on OSA and CSA. Methods Retrospective review of children with PWS who underwent polysomnography pre‐ and post‐growth hormone between January 2011 and June 2024. Results Fifty‐six children (35 < 2 years; 21 ≥ 2 years) pre‐growth hormone; 28 children < 2 years and 15 children ≥ 2 years after growth hormone. Pre‐growth hormone, children ≥ 2 years had more severe OSA than children < 2 years ( p < 0.05). There was no difference between age groups for CSA. Post‐growth hormone, 21% of children < 2 years and 20% of children ≥ 2 years developed OSA. CSA resolved post‐growth hormone in 21% of children < 2 years and 6% of children ≥ 2 years, whilst CSA developed in 11% and 13%, respectively. Conclusion Our study highlights that very young children do not appear to be at higher risk of development of OSA or CSA when treated with growth hormone.
Ip et al. (Fri,) studied this question.