Ultrasound Scans of the Tongue in Teens With Obesity and Sleep Breathing Problems
Uses ultrasound to measure tongue characteristics in teens with obesity and breathing problems during sleep.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Ultrasound Assessment of Tongue Characteristics in Adolescents With Obesity and Obstructive Sleep Disorders
Key facts
- Where
- Brussels and De Haan, BelgiumSee the 2 sites
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 12 and 18 years old?
Source: NCT07613944, who can take part
Where in Belgium
- KidZ Health Castle - Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel Brussels - Health Campus Avenue du Laerbeek 101 1090 JetteBrussels, BelgiumNo longer taking part
- Zeepreventorium, Koninklijke Baan 5, 8420 De HaanDe Haan, BelgiumNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- Trial code
- NCT07613944
- Record updated
- 29 May 2026
- Original description
Obstructive sleep-disordered breathing, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), represents a significant yet underdiagnosed condition in the pediatric population, particularly among adolescents with obesity. The tongue is a central anatomical contributor to upper airway collapsibility; however, its biomechanical properties have been investigated almost exclusively in adult populations, leaving a critical gap in knowledge regarding younger individuals.Read full original descriptionShow less
Standardised Ultrasound Assessment of Tongue Characteristics in Adolescents With Obesity and Obstructive Sleep Disordered Breathing: a Research Protocol
Obstructive sleep-disordered breathing, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), represents a significant yet underdiagnosed condition in the pediatric population, particularly among adolescents with obesity. The tongue is a central anatomical contributor to upper airway collapsibility; however, its biomechanical properties have been investigated almost exclusively in adult populations, leaving a critical gap in knowledge regarding younger individuals.
This study aims to assess tongue biomechanical and echographic characteristics using quantitative ultrasound modalities - shear-wave elastography (SWE), acoustic attenuation, and echo intensity - in adolescents aged 12 to 18 years with obesity and obstructive sleep disorders. The study adopts a mixed design combining (1) an observational cross-sectional comparison between participants with obesity and OSDB and age- and sex-matched healthy controls at baseline, and (2) a prospective longitudinal cohort component evaluating changes in tongue ultrasound characteristics over the course of a 30-week multidisciplinary inpatient weight-loss program delivered as standard care at the Zeepreventorium (De Haan, Belgium). An additionnal methodological objective consists in determining intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of the ultrasound acquisition protocol providing a reproducible framework for future studies.
Inclusion: Aged 12-18 years; Already enrolled in Zeepreventorium weight-loss program as Standard Care Diagnosed Obstructive Sleep Apnea (AHI ≥ 1)1 or any Obstructive sleep disordered breathing detected by any of the specific sleep questionnaire (OSA-18, ESS, SSS-Ad, PDSS).
Exclusion: Self-reported alcohol or recreational drug consumption within 48 hours preceding the experimental session; Any other orthopedic, traumatic, or rheumatologic condition affecting the cervicocephalic region; Syndromic or neuromuscular disorders; Cognitive impairment limiting compliance with study procedures; Inability to provide informed consent.