Integrative Analysis of Genome-Wide Epigenetic and Transcriptomic Alterations Reveals Molecular Markers for Diagnosing Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Black Females [WGBS]

This study explores the epigentic and transcriptomic changes associated with pediatric obstructive sleep apnea in Black female patients. By analyzing saliva samples, the study identifies dysregulated pathways and specific molecular markers, emphasizing the need for accessible diagnostic tools and addressing healthcare disparities in underrepresented population. The non-invasive approach using saliva samples offers potential for future research and improved diagnostics for pediatric OSA. Overall design: Saliva samples were obtained from both healthy individuals (controls) and children diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The DNA was extracted from the samples and subsequently fragmented into base pairs ranging from 100 to 300. Bi-sulfite conversion was performed specifically for non-methylated DNA. Paired-end libraries were created from the converted DNA and then subjected to sequencing using an Illumina HiSeq 2000 instrument.