Hypoglossal nerve stimulation in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in down syndrome patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is highly prevalent in individuals with Down syndrome (DS), affecting more than 50% of this population during childhood and reaching up to 100% in adulthood. This disorder poses significant clinical consequences, including impaired cognitive function, developmental delay, and cardiovascular complications. To address this, direct hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) has been approved as a treatment modality for OSA. Recent studies have shown a significant positive correlation between HNS voltage and post-apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) levels in DS and non-DS patients. However, concerns regarding the reliability of some findings have been raised, emphasizing the need for further research to underline the usefulness of HNS in treating OSA in DS patients. This meta-analysis provides a comprehensive review and analysis of the available case reports, case series, and cohort studies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of HNS in treating OSA in Down syndrome patients.

Keywords

• OSA
• Down Syndrome
• Apnea
• Hypoglossal Nerve
• stimulation

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