EVALUATION OF BREATHING PATTERN AND SERUM LEVELS OF INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR-1 AFTER RAPID MAXILLARY EXPANSION IN GROWING PATIENTS: A MULTICENTRIC RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL

Background No evidence has been found on metabolic or hormonal changes involving growth hormone and its mediators after rapid maxillary expansion. The aim of the present randomized clinical trial was therefore to determine changes in apnea/hypopnea index, oxygen saturation and serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 in growing patients treated with rapid maxillary expansion. Methods Treated group comprised 16 patients (10 males and 6 females) with a mean age of 9.50±1.39 years and control group comprised 16 patients (11 males and 5 females) with a mean age of 9.9±0.92 years. All patients of the treated group underwent maxillary expansion with Hyrax-type expander while control group underwent no treatment. Polysomnography exam and blood samples for the evaluation of serum levels insulin-like growth factor-1 were collected at baseline and after 12 months. Results Apnea/hypopnea index significantly decreased of -1.82 events/hour in the treated group compared to the control. Insulin-like growth factor-1 also showed significant increase of 20.68 ng/mol in the treated group compared to control group. No significant differences were reported for oxygen saturation. Conclusions Growing patients presenting mild OSA showed significant improvement of AHI and increase of insulin-like growth factor-1 after RME when compared to control, while no significant differences were reported for oxygen saturation.