Background: Obstructive sleep apnea in children is frequently due to tonsil and adenoid hypertrophy. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between ambulatory clinical parameters and sleep respiratory events in obese children.

Methods: We carried out a prospective respiratory sleep study between 2013 and 2015. Nails obstruction, tonsils enlargement and palate position were subjectively measured. Italian attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) rating scale for parents was also performed. The polygraph study was performed using a portable ambulatory device.

Results: Forty-four obese children were consecutively recruited into this study. Mild sleep respiratory disturbance was showed in 31.8% of patients; 18.2% previously had an adeno (tonsillectomy). In 50% of these obese children, both apnea-hypopnea index and oxygen desaturation index showed polygraph abnormal results. ADHD rating scale for parents scores were positive in 9.1% of patients.