Which statement best describes the interpretation of an RDI of 6 in a child under 12?

Which statement best describes the interpretation of an RDI of 6 in a child under 12?

• A. Mild
• B. Severe
• C. Normal
• D. Moderate

Answer: (D)

RDI is the number of breathing disturbances per hour of sleep, counting events like apneas, hypopneas, and respiratory effort–related arousals. In children, the severity of these events is categorized with specific cutoffs that differ from adults: normal is typically less than 1 event per hour, mild ranges from about 1 to 5 per hour, moderate from about 5 to 10 per hour, and severe is greater than 10 per hour. An RDI of 6 means there are roughly six disturbances per hour, placing it in the moderate range. This is more than normal and more than mild, but not high enough to be labeled severe.

RDI is the number of breathing disturbances per hour of sleep, counting events like apneas, hypopneas, and respiratory effort–related arousals. In children, the severity of these events is categorized with specific cutoffs that differ from adults: normal is typically less than 1 event per hour, mild ranges from about 1 to 5 per hour, moderate from about 5 to 10 per hour, and severe is greater than 10 per hour. An RDI of 6 means there are roughly six disturbances per hour, placing it in the moderate range. This is more than normal and more than mild, but not high enough to be labeled severe.