Air pollution and heat wave seriously affect the quality of life of children with obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) impairs children’s quality of life (QoL), but the impact of air pollution and heat wave on pediatric OSA-related QoL remains unclear. This retrospective cross-sectional study investigated associations between short-term air pollutant (PM_2.5, PM₁₀, SO₂, and NO₂) exposure, heat wave, and QoL in children with OSA, including pollutant lag effects.

A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Henan Provincial Children’s Hospital (2021–2023). Eligible participants were ≤ 14-year-old Henan residents with confirmed OSA (OAHI > 1) via polysomnography. QoL was assessed by the OSA-18 Scale. Air pollutant and heat wave data were from national monitoring networks. Generalized Linear Regression Models (GLMs) analyzed continuous QoL outcomes, with sensitivity analyses performed.

1943 children were included. The statistical analysis results showed that PM_2.5 lag03-lag07; PM₁₀ lag0-lag6, lag01-lag07; SO₂ lag0-lag2, lag01-lag07; NO₂ lag7, lag05-lag07 were statistically correlated with the impact on the QoL of pediatric patients. The maximum effect values OR were 1.042 (95% CI 1.006, 1.079), 1.030 (95% CI 1.016, 1.045), 1.774 (95% CI 1.279, 2.462), and 1.101 (95% CI 1.013, 1.197), respectively. Additionally, heat wave was associated with worse QoL (OR:1.537, 95% CI 1.021, 2.313). Sensitivity analyses confirmed result stability.

Air pollutants (especially SO₂ and NO₂) and heat waves reduce QoL in children with OSA, highlighting the need for targeted environmental interventions.