Release Pattern of Salivary Chromogranin A in Pediatric Subjects with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Abstract

Background and Objective Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is associated with activation of the stress response, including the autonomic nervous system. Salivary chromogranin A (sCgA) is considered a valuable indicator of sympathoadrenal activity. We examined the relationship between sCgA and polysomnography (PSG) parameters. Methods In this prospective study, we enrolled 103 children who underwent a physical examination and fully attended in-lab PSG. Saliva was collected at night before PSG and in the early morning after PSG. Results The subjects (n = 103) were divided into control [n = 41, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≤ 1] and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS; n = 62, AHI > 1) groups. The OSAS group was subdivided into mild (1 < AHI ≤ 5), moderate (5 < AHI ≤ 10), and severe (10 < AHI) groups. There was no significant difference in the sCgA parameters between the control and OSAS groups. No significant difference was observed in sCgA parameters between the control group and OSAS subgroups (mild, moderate, and severe). No circadian rhythm was detected in sCgA secretion, and no difference in sCgA concentrations was measured at the two time points. Conclusions Our findings suggest that sCgA secretion was not influenced by OSAS severity and no definitive circadian rhythm was detected in pediatric subjects. Further study is needed to establish whether there is a circadian rhythm in pediatric subjects.

Keywords

• Child
• Chromogranin A
• Saliva
• Sleep apnea