Mb. Scharf et al., EFFECTS OF AN EXTERNAL NASAL DILATOR ON SLEEP AND BREATHING PATTERNS IN NEWBORN-INFANTS WITH AND WITHOUT CONGESTION, The Journal of pediatrics, 129(6), 1996, pp. 804-808
Background: We recently demonstrated that the use of an external nasal
dilator reduced subjective snoring levels and improved sleep quality.
Our study polysomnographically evaluated the effects of this device o
n the frequency of obstructive airway events during sleep in infants w
ith and without congestion. Methods: We used a crossover study to moni
tor 20 infants between the ages of 2 and 4 months (15 infants without
congestion and 5 with congestion). Monitoring was conducted during two
daytime sleep sessions in a crossover study in which infants slept wi
th or without a cutdown version of an external nasal dilator (Breathe
Right Nasal Strips, CNS, Inc., Bloomington, Minn.) in the first sessio
n with crossover to the other condition In the second session. A respi
ratory disturbance index consisting of apneas (pauses in respiration o
f at least 8 seconds) or hypopneas (decreased airflow resulting in oxy
gen desaturation of at least 3%) was determined. Results: Babies witho
ut congestion showed a greater than 50% reduction in respiratory distu
rbance index from 3.2 +/- 2.8 to 1.2 +/- 1.2 events per hour (p <0.005
). Congested infants showed a decrease from 6.9 +/- 2.9 to 1.5 +/- 8.6
events per hour (p <0.05). Babies with the greatest number of events
showed the greatest improvement. Conclusion: The use of an external na
sal dilator reduces the frequency of obstructive respiratory events in
infants.