Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) is part of the increasingly recognized clinical spectrum of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in children and adolescents. While the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms are similar to those in adults, the epidemiology, risk factors, differential diagnosis, clinical presentation, evaluation and treatment of pediatric OSAS are significantly different from those in adult OSAS. In particular, less is known about the potentially significant and long-term neurobehavioral sequelae of OSAS in young children, and considerable controversy exists in regards to selection and timing of treatment. The following chapter reviews the recent literature and provides a framework for diagnosis and management of pediatric OSAS in the clinical setting.

Key Words:

obstructive sleep apnea - pediatrics