Childhood Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Overview

Sleep-disordered breathing caused by upper airway obstruction (obstructive sleep apnea) affects 2 to 3 % of children with maximum at the age from 3 to 8 years. Airway obstruction results from adenotonsillar hypertrophy but subtle changes in upper airway structure and innervation, partly determined genetically, are supposed to play a role. All diseases connected with hypotonia and narrowing of upper airway represent increased risk for sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea results in chronic intermittent hypoxemia and repeated arousals leading to sleep fragmentation. Consequences include cognitive impairment, behavioral problems, emotional and mood disturbances, failure to thrive, growth retardation and cardiovascular complications.

Noctural polysomnography is required for establishing the reliable diagnosis of childhood obstructive sleep apnea. The treatment of choice is adenotonsillectomy in most cases. Only a small percentage of children benefits from continuous positive airway pressure or bilevel positive airway pressure treatment.

Key words:
obstructive sleep apnea, childhood, cognitive functions, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, nocturnal polysomnography, adenotonsillectomy