A noise heard while a child is asleep that should not be ignored: Catatrenia. Case report

Abstract

Sleep is not merely a restful function of the body; it is a complex biological process which, if disrupted, has a significant impact on the healthy development of patients suffering from a sleep disorder. This underlines the importance of early diagnosis and timely treatment of any condition that disrupts sleep architecture, particularly in the paediatric population. During sleep, the body may emit various sounds which, depending on their characteristics, may be considered part of normal physiology or pathological. We report the case of a 6-year-old female patient who exhibits ‘moaning’ during sleep lasting 8 to 12 seconds, as well as nasal obstruction and pruritus; she does not report symptoms such as daytime sleepiness or hyperactivity, and presents with hypertrophic inferior turbinates and grade 2 palatine tonsils. She underwent sleep questionnaires, nasopharyngeal endoscopy and cardiorespiratory polygraphy, which revealed tracings consistent with central apnea versus catathrenia (the mother reported hearing the groaning during ‘respiratory pauses’), prompting a consultation with Cardiology and Neurology.  Strict treatment was prescribed for symptoms of chronic rhinitis and bronchial asthma with intranasal and inhaled corticosteroids, with a favorable outcome, not only for the nasal symptoms but also for the episodes of wheezing and apneic respiratory pauses. The aim of this case report is to raise awareness among healthcare professionals of the importance of assessing sleep as a key biological function during medical care.