Abstract:Objective To explore the changes of plasma levels of adhesion molecules in children with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and the clinical significance. Methods Ninetyfive children with OSAHS in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from Jan. 2009 to Jun. 2011 were selected for the study. Fortysix children were selected as healthy controls. Plasma levels of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)1 and Pselectin were measured by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. Height, weight were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated in these subjects. Polysomnography was performed. Results The Pselectin levels in the severe OSAHS group (127.2±56.3 ng/ml) and moderate OSAHS group (91.5±37.8 ng/ml) were significantly higher than that of the control group (54.5±30.3 ng/mL) (F=4.26, P<0.05). The differences of ICAM1 levels among abovementioned groups were statistically insignificant. However, the ICAM1 level of obese children (223.4±46.4 ng/ml) was significantly higher than that of nonobese ones (137.2±78.9 ng/ml) (t=3.041, P<0.05). Furthermore, the level of P-selectin was related positively with apnea hypopnea index (r=0.28, P<0.05), respiratory arousal index (r=0.19, P<0.05) and negatively with nadir of oxygen saturation as measured by pulse oximetry (r=-0.26, P<0.05). Conclusion Children with moderate to severe OSAHS have plasma elevations of Pselectin, a marker of platelet activation, suggesting that inflammatory processes may be elicited by OSAHS in children, and may contribute to accelerated risk for cardiovascular morbidity. In contrast, elevations in ICAM1 are primarily associated with obesity rather than OSAHS.