Objective To analyze the results of cephalometric indicators of facial morphology and hyoid bone position in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

Methods A total of 78 children with OSAS were randomly selected and included in OSAS group. Another 78 healthy children who had not received otolaryngology, orthodontics or speech therapy were selected as healthy control group. Children in both groups underwent otolaryngology evaluation and cephalometric measurement, and the OSAS group also underwent overnight polysomnography (PSG) examination.

Results The cephalometric measurement results of the facial shape showed that the facial anterior height (N-Me) and facial anterior inferior height (ANS-Me) in the OSAS group were higher than those in the healthy control group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the facial anterior superior height (N-ANS) and facial posterior total height (S-Go) between the OSAS group and the healthy control group (P>0.05). The hyoid bone measurement results showed that the vertical distance from the hyoid bone point to the mandibular plane (HyS), the linear distance from the most anterior superior point of the hyoid bone to the most inferior point of the third cervical vertebra (C3-H), the anterior point of the hyoid bone (Dh-H), the vertical distance from the most anterior point of the hyoid bone to the palatal plane (HyMP), and the most posterior point of the hyoid bone (Dv-H)in the OSAS group were all greater than those in the healthy control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion Compared with healthy children, there are significant changes in facial growth and development in children with OSAS, which are characterized by increased N-Me and ANS-Me, as well as increased HyS, C3-H, HyMP, Dh-H, and Dv-H.