Biomaterial Database

Down syndrome and sleep-disordered breathing: the dentist's role. 2009

H Barry Waldman, and Faysal M Hasan, and Steven Perlman

Department of General Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8706, USA. hwaldman@notes.cc.sunysb.edu

BACKGROUND Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by sleep fragmentation, oxygen desaturation and daytime somnolence. It is common in people with Down syndrome, occurring in at least one-half of this population. METHODS The authors review the clinical presentation of obstructive sleep apnea and its association with Down syndrome. RESULTS The diagnosis and treatment of sleep-disordered breathing in the Down syndrome population reinforce the important role that dentists play in recognizing its association with comorbidities and daily cognitive and behavioral function. CONCLUSIONS Sleep abnormalities in children with Down syndrome often are not cured by surgical procedures. These patients may not tolerate continuous positive airway pressure treatment, but they should benefit from the use of oral appliances. CONCLUSIONS The dentist has an important role in enhancing the quality of life of patients with Down syndrome, especially in the recognition and treatment of sleep-disordered breathing.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D002648	Child	A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL.	Children
D003730	Dental Care for Disabled	Dental care for the emotionally, mentally, or physically disabled patient. It does not include dental care for the chronically ill (	Dental Care for Handicapped,Dentistry for Disabled,Dentistry for Handicapped,Disabled, Dentistry for,Handicapped, Dentistry for
D003815	Dentists	Individuals licensed to practice DENTISTRY.	Dentists, Pediatric,Dentists, Prosthetic,Dentists, Restorative,Periodontists,Prosthodontists,Dentist,Dentist, Pediatric,Dentist, Prosthetic,Dentist, Restorative,Pediatric Dentist,Pediatric Dentists,Periodontist,Prosthetic Dentist,Prosthetic Dentists,Prosthodontist,Restorative Dentist,Restorative Dentists
D004314	Down Syndrome	A chromosome disorder associated either with an extra CHROMOSOME 21 or an effective TRISOMY for chromosome 21. Clinical manifestations include HYPOTONIA, short stature, BRACHYCEPHALY, upslanting palpebral fissures, epicanthus, Brushfield spots on the iris, protruding tongue, small ears, short, broad hands, fifth finger clinodactyly, single transverse palmar crease, and moderate to severe INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY. Cardiac and gastrointestinal malformations, a marked increase in the incidence of LEUKEMIA, and the early onset of ALZHEIMER DISEASE are also associated with this condition. Pathologic features include the development of NEUROFIBRILLARY TANGLES in neurons and the deposition of AMYLOID BETA-PROTEIN, similar to the pathology of ALZHEIMER DISEASE. (Menkes, Textbook of Child Neurology, 5th ed, p213)	Mongolism,Trisomy 21,47,XX,+21,47,XY,+21,Down Syndrome, Partial Trisomy 21,Down's Syndrome,Partial Trisomy 21 Down Syndrome,Trisomy 21, Meiotic Nondisjunction,Trisomy 21, Mitotic Nondisjunction,Trisomy G,Downs Syndrome,Syndrome, Down,Syndrome, Down's
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D017090	Occlusal Splints	Rigid or flexible appliances that overlay the occlusal surfaces of the teeth. They are used to treat OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA, clenching, BRUXISM, and their sequelae, and to provide temporary relief from muscle or temporomandibular joint pain.	Dental Night Guard,Mandibular Advancement Devices,Mandibular Advancement Splints,Splints, Occlusal,Advancement Device, Mandibular,Advancement Devices, Mandibular,Advancement Splint, Mandibular,Advancement Splints, Mandibular,Dental Night Guards,Device, Mandibular Advancement,Devices, Mandibular Advancement,Guard, Dental Night,Guards, Dental Night,Mandibular Advancement Device,Mandibular Advancement Splint,Night Guard, Dental,Night Guards, Dental,Occlusal Splint,Splint, Mandibular Advancement,Splint, Occlusal,Splints, Mandibular Advancement
D020181	Sleep Apnea, Obstructive	A disorder characterized by recurrent apneas during sleep despite persistent respiratory efforts. It is due to upper airway obstruction. The respiratory pauses may induce HYPERCAPNIA or HYPOXIA. Cardiac arrhythmias and elevation of systemic and pulmonary arterial pressures may occur. Frequent partial arousals occur throughout sleep, resulting in relative SLEEP DEPRIVATION and daytime tiredness. Associated conditions include OBESITY; ACROMEGALY; MYXEDEMA; micrognathia; MYOTONIC DYSTROPHY; adenotonsilar dystrophy; and NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASES. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p395)	Obstructive Sleep Apnea,Upper Airway Resistance Sleep Apnea Syndrome,Apnea, Obstructive Sleep,OSAHS,Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome,Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Syndrome,Sleep Apnea Syndrome, Obstructive,Syndrome, Obstructive Sleep Apnea,Syndrome, Sleep Apnea, Obstructive,Syndrome, Upper Airway Resistance, Sleep Apnea,Apneas, Obstructive Sleep,Obstructive Sleep Apneas,Sleep Apneas, Obstructive
D024382	Professional Role	The expected function of a member of a particular profession.	Professional Roles,Role, Professional,Roles, Professional