Tongue features in children with sleep-disordered breathing
Official title: Characterization of the Tongue in Children With Obstructive Sleep-disordered Breathing
Run by Université Catholique de Louvain · NCT07861230 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests tongue structure and function in children aged 4–17 who have obstructive sleep-disordered breathing to see how the tongue may contribute to airway obstruction.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 4 Years to 17 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 39 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Université Catholique de Louvain Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Liège) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 1, 2026 |
| Main results expected | September 1, 2028 |
| Study ends | January 1, 2029 |
| Registry record updated | November 4, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07861230 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Children aged 4 to 17 with suspected or confirmed obstructive sleep-disordered breathing and a positive Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire undergoing recent or planned polysomnography.
✕Probably not a fit
Children without significant tongue-related contributors to obstruction or with non-oSDB conditions may not see a direct benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This cross-sectional study characterizes tongue anatomy and function in children with obstructive sleep-disordered breathing who are undergoing or have recently undergone polysomnography. The research team has prior work establishing reproducible tongue measurements in healthy children and aims to build a reference database to compare against affected individuals. By examining tongue-related factors, the study seeks to clarify how the tongue base might contribute to airway obstruction beyond adenotonsillectomy. Results could inform future approaches to identify and manage contributing tongue-related factors in pediatric oSDB. Participants will be assessed at CHC MontLégia in Liège, Belgium, under the coordination of Université Catholique de Louvain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could improve understanding of tongue-related contributors to airway obstruction in children with oSDB, potentially guiding more precise diagnoses and personalized treatment planning.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown reproducible tongue measurements in healthy children; applying this approach to oSDB is a logical next step but remains relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 4 to 17 years * Scheduled polysomnography, or polysomnography performed within the past 6 months * Positive Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (8 "yes" answers or more) Exclusion Criteria: * Any neurological, syndromic, or malformative comorbidity that would classify the obstructive sleep disorder as Type III * Any condition that could interfere with the assessments
Where it's running
-
CHC MontLégia hospital
Liège, Belgium Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: William Poncin, Professor
- Email: william.poncin@uclouvain.be
- Phone: 0471 90 66 23
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.