Prevalence of Sleep-disordered Breathing in Children and Adolescents with Large Horizontal Maxillary Overjet Due to Mandibular Retrognathia: a Case-control Study

Study Objectives: The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in children and adolescents with large overjet due to mandibular retrognathia compared to a control group.

Methods: In this case-control study children with large overjet ≥ 6 mm due to mandibular retrognathia (study group) were compared to a group with neutral occlusion (controls). All participants underwent respiratory polygraphy (PG) and questionnaires regarding sleepiness and snoring. Differences across groups were tested by chi-square test; a general linear model adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index; and a Mann-Whitney test. Differences in results of PG were also tested by a general linear model adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index according to severity of mandibular retrognathia.

Results: Thirty-seven (19 male;18 female; median age 12.3 years) participants were included in the study group and 32 (16 male;16 female; median age 12.2 years) in the control group. No significant difference in SDB assessed by PG or questionnaires between the groups was found, even though the snore index was higher in the study group ( = .051). The snore index was higher than the parent-reported snoring. Respiration rate was significantly reduced in the study group ( = .043), and estimated sleep time efficiency was significantly reduced in males compared with females ( < .001).

Conclusions: No significant differences in SDB were found between the groups even though the snore index was higher in the study group. The snore index of the PG was higher than the parent-reported snoring. Estimated sleep time efficiency was reduced in males. The study improves the understanding of risk of SDB in nonobese children with large overjet due to mandibular retrognathia and may contribute to an interdisciplinary approach to risk assessment of SDB in children with malocclusion.

Clinical Trial Registration: Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; Name: Sleep, Upper Airway and Dental Occlusion in Children With Large Overjet; URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04964830?term=NCT04964830&rank=1; Identifier: NCT04964830.

Citation: Hansen C, Sonnesen L, Bakke M, Markström A. Prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing in children and adolescents with large horizontal maxillary overjet due to mandibular retrognathia: a case-control study. 2024;20(12):1871-1878.