Cellular heterogeneity insights and molecular signatures in paediatric sleep apnoea

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in children, with a prevalence of 1–5.7% [1], is one of the most common causes of sleep disordered breathing in children, with a peak of occurrence at 2–8 years old [2]. Paediatric sleep apnoea is typically associated with snoring, indicating the presence of increased upper airway resistance. The most common factor underlying the presence of paediatric sleep apnoea is hypertrophy of the upper airway lymphadenoid tissues, which results in increased upper airway collapsibility. Moreover, obesity, neurological or neuromuscular diseases, and gastro-oesophageal reflux are some risk factors that frequently occur in paediatric sleep apnoea. Single-cell sequencing emerges as a platform to observe and characterise relevant morbidity-related pathophysiologic mechanisms associated with paediatric OSA