Treatment of sleep apnea syndrome in a Down syndrome patient with behavioral problems by noninvasive positive pressure ventilation: a successful case report

• Published in: No to hattatsu Vol. 38; no. 1; p. 32
• Main Authors: Anzai, Yuki, Ohya, Tatsuo, Yanagi, Kiyoshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japan 01.01.2006
• Subjects: Adult; Down Syndrome - complications; Humans; Intellectual Disability - complications; Male; Mental Disorders - complications; Obesity - complications; Positive-Pressure Respiration - methods; Quality of Life; Sleep Apnea Syndromes - etiology; Sleep Apnea Syndromes - therapy; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0029-0831
• DOI: 10.11251/ojjscn1969.38.32

The use of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) is increasingly accepted as a treatment of respiratory problems in patients with neuromuscular disease. However, its use in mentally retarded and un-cooperative patients has not been reported. We report here the evaluation and treatment of sleep apnea in a Down syndrome patient. After recovering from a life threatening respiratory failure the patient had persistent sleep apnea syndrome. Limited examinations disclosed that he had two types of apnea; obstructive and central type apnea. Our treatment was a diet with intake restricted up to 1,000 kcal per day for the obstructive apnea, and NPPV with low dosage of oxygen for the obstructive and central apnea. With these treatments in one year's hospitalization, his quality of life was significantly improved. He has continued the treatment in the outpatient department and enjoys a better quality of life both at home and in the community. The successful treatment of this case may become an example of the more extensive use of NPPV for such respiratory problems in handicapped children and adults with behavioral problems.