Rapid Maxillary Expansion for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children

Objective: The aims of this study are to (1) evaluate the effectiveness of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and (2) elucidate the mechanism for the resolution of OSA following RME in children. Design: Controlled trial. Setting: University hospital Craniofacial Center and Sleep Center. Subjects: Sixty OSA children whose parents agree to undergo RME for the treatment of OSA, and 30 OSA children whose parents refuse any treatment for OSA acting as a control group. Interventions: RME is performed by use of a Hyrax expander. The amount of expansion is 0.5 mm per day, and the duration of expansion is 21 days. The expander is removed after 6 months. Measurements: All treated children undergo standard questionnaire, clinical examination, neurocognitive tests, rhinomanometry, polysomnography, cephalometry, and computed tomography before expansion, and 6 and 12 months after expansion. All untreated children undergo standard questionnaire, clinical examination, neurocognitive tests, rhinomanometry, polysomnography, and cephalometry at entry and after the trial. Data Analysis: Generalized estimating equations (GEE) are used for analysis of dependent variables. Statistical significance is assumed for a p value of less than 0.05.

Project ID:PC9902-1693
External Project ID:NSC98-2314-B182-041-MY2