In a patient less than 12 yo, what RDI value would indicate a severe disease?

In a patient less than 12 yo, what RDI value would indicate a severe disease?

• A. 11-15
• B. <5
• C. >10
• D. 1-5

Answer: (C)

In children, the severity of sleep-disordered breathing is judged by how often respiratory disturbances occur per hour of sleep. RDI thresholds commonly used are mild for about 1–5 events per hour, moderate for about 5–10, and severe when the rate exceeds 10 per hour. A value above 10 per hour shows a high frequency of obstructive events, meaning the child experiences substantial sleep disruption and carries greater risk for growth, behavior, and neurocognitive issues. That’s why the threshold greater than 10 per hour best indicates severe disease. The other ranges align with milder disease or fall within non-severe limits, so they don’t define severe disease as clearly.

In children, the severity of sleep-disordered breathing is judged by how often respiratory disturbances occur per hour of sleep. RDI thresholds commonly used are mild for about 1–5 events per hour, moderate for about 5–10, and severe when the rate exceeds 10 per hour. A value above 10 per hour shows a high frequency of obstructive events, meaning the child experiences substantial sleep disruption and carries greater risk for growth, behavior, and neurocognitive issues. That’s why the threshold greater than 10 per hour best indicates severe disease. The other ranges align with milder disease or fall within non-severe limits, so they don’t define severe disease as clearly.