Altered slow-wave sleep activity in children with ROHHAD syndrome.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Rapid-onset obesity with hypothalamic dysregulation, hypoventilation, and autonomic dysregulation (ROHHAD) is a rare condition. Little is known about sleep/wake and slow-wave activity (SWA) in this condition, although the central hypothalamic dysfunction associated with autonomic dysregulation would make the occurrence of SWA deregulation most likely.

METHODS: Two children with clinical presentation of ROHHAD syndrome were evaluated, diagnosed, and treated. Their polysomnographic studies were compared to four matched children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and six controls.

RESULTS: Children that were clinically diagnosed with ROHHAD exhibited significantly weaker SWA power and shallower SWA slopes during the first two sleep cycles compared to children with OSA or controls.

CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that children with ROHHAD have suppressed SWA, possibly due to hypothalamic dysregulation that may contribute to their rapid-onset obesity and excessive daytime sleepiness.