Childhood Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: A Review of the 2012 American Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines

Abstract

On a busy day at the pediatric office, child health care practitioners may see children of different ages present with symptoms such as inattentiveness, hyperactivity, aggression, behavioral problems, excessive sleepiness, difficulty waking up in the morning, learning problems, frequent awakening at night, restless sleep, morning headaches, and nocturnal enuresis. Children with these symptoms may be underweight or morbidly obese; healthy; or suffering from asthma, seasonal allergies, or other ailments. What they will likely have in common is a fairly well-known and yet under-recognized condition - obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA). The American Academy of Pediatrics first published "Clinical Practice Guideline: Diagnosis and Management of Childhood Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome" in 2002. However, with the increase in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome research, they revised these guidelines in 2012. These new guidelines evaluate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome diagnostic techniques, describe available treatment options, and provide follow-up recommendations. This article explores those revisions.