Pediatric Sleep-disordered Breathing Research Articles

Pediatric sleep-disordered breathing: Role of the dentist.

In this review article, the role of the dentist in the evaluation and treatment of snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) in children is described. Snoring and OSAS in children is receiving increased awareness, with reported rates approximating 10% of children who regularly snore, and up to 4% who suffer from OSAS. OSAS in children may have serious developmental and behavioral consequences. Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) is the main outcome of the polysomnography test, but its diagnostic values differ from children to adults, as do treatment approaches. A comprehensive literature search of publications from 1973 to 2017 in the PubMed Direct databases was performed to collect information about snoring and OSAS in children. The search was limited to peer-reviewed articles written in English with a few exceptions in other languages. Dentists play a significant role in early detection of OSAS, helping in reducing and preventing its serious consequences. A multidisciplinary treatment team, which manages and treats OSAS, should include the dentist in addition to the sleep specialist and the ENT physician.

Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Where Do We Stand?

Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was initially described in 1976. In 1981, Dr. Guilleminault emphasized that pediatric OSA was different from the clinical presentation reported in adults. It was characterized by more disturbed nocturnal sleep than excessive daytime sleepiness, and presented more behavioral problems, particularly school problems, hyperactivity, nocturnal enuresis, sleep terrors, depression, insomnia, and psychiatric problems. The underlying causes of pediatric OSA are complex. Such factors as adenotonsillar hypertrophy, obesity, anatomical and neuromuscular factors, and hypotonic neuromuscular disease are also involved. Adenotonsillectomy (T&A) has been the recommended treatment for pediatric OSA, but in the recent past this practice has been placed very much in question. Therefore, we will discuss the mechanism of pediatric OSA and investigate obese and nonobese pediatric sleep-disordered breathing. Moreover, the important concept that dysfunction leads to the dysmorphism that impacts on the size of the upper airway has been advanced recently. Finally, the treatments of pediatric OSA, such as T&A, medication, the orthodontic approaches (rapid maxillary expansion, or mandibular advancement with functional appliances), positive airway pressure, and noninvasive treatment, such as myofunctional therapy (MFT), will be investigated. A "passive MFT" has been tried recently, but very few results exist. In conclusion, we have made progress in our understanding of pediatric OSA, and we can even recognize factors leading to its development or worsening. However, pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists are often unaware of the advances and the remedies available.

The Challenges of Pediatric Anesthesia for Ambulatory Adenotonsillectomy

Purpose of review With a prevalence of about 10%, pediatric sleep-disordered breathing (PSDB) contributes to significant epidemiological burden. The first line of management is adenotonsillectomy (AT), which restores airflow and leads to resolution of symptoms in over 80% of children. Providing safe and effective administration of general anesthesia in this ‘at risk’ population can be a challenge in the ambulatory setting.

Preoperative Screening for Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Children: A Systematic Literature Review

Clinicians frequently underestimate or do not assess sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in children in ambulatory surgical centers. Identifying the disorder and obtaining information relevant to anesthesia management can be assisted by the use of a standard questionnaire during preoperative assessment. We wanted to determine whether a preoperative screening tool increases clinician awareness of SDB in children and leads to a decrease in perioperative respiratory adverse events. We reviewed 21 articles to identify reliable screening tools for pediatric SDB in ambulatory surgical centers and selected six articles for the review. We concluded that the Snoring, Trouble Breathing, Un-Refreshed questionnaire is a reliable preoperative SDB identification tool and that awareness of preexisting SDB in children presenting for surgery in ambulatory surgical centers aids in designing a patient-specific plan of care to reduce perioperative respiratory adverse events. Standardizing the use of the Snoring, Trouble Breathing, Un-Refreshed questionnaire during the preoperative evaluation is a safety measure for pediatric surgical patients.

Parent Experience of Care and Decision Making for Children Who Snore

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is prevalent and has an impact on the physical and behavioral health of children. Adenotonsillectomy (AT), the primary treatment, is subject to unexplained variation in utilization, which may be reduced by improving physician-patient communication and decision quality for this elective procedure. To identify factors are associated with parental experience and decision making in pediatric SDB and AT surgery. In this qualitative study, parents of children with prior SDB evaluation participated in semistructured, audiorecorded interviews. Open-ended questions regarded experiences of having a child with SDB, communication with pediatric clinicians and surgeons, and experiences with AT surgery. Recordings were transcribed and analyzed for emergent themes using grounded theory methodology. Eleven parents of children ages 2 to 17 years who had previously been diagnosed or treated for SDB were identified via purposive sampling and interviewed between January and April 2015. Interviews were conducted at locations convenient for the participants and separate from the pediatric clinic. A goal of this study was to ascertain how parents perceived sharing decisions with their physicians. Themes of parental experiences and treatment decision-making processes with pediatric SDB. Overarching themes were inclusive of (1) clinical factors of SDB and AT and (2) clinician interpersonal behaviors and communication. Parents described an urgency that led them to seek evaluation or treatment, including fear that the child would stop breathing, or behavioral and/or cognitive delays. Parents often viewed surgery as a "last resort" and had explored alternate therapies prior to seeing the surgeon. Nearly all parents feared anesthesia more than AT surgery itself. Parents described satisfaction when physicians provided them with options, engaged their child in conversation, depicted SDB visually, and were responsive or accessible to questions. Parents regarded a trusting relationship with their pediatrician, confidence in the surgeon, and inclusion in decision making as important. While clinical factors were influential for decision making, interpersonal factors helped parents feel comfortable and influenced their overall experience. Shared decision making, in which parents receive evidence-based information allowing them to accurately perceive risks, benefits, and alternatives about SDB treatment in the setting of trusting clinician-family relationships, may reduce parental decision conflict and improve decision quality toward AT surgery.

Efficacy of a Mandibular Advancement Appliance on Sleep Disordered Breathing in Children: A Study Protocol of a Crossover Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Sleep-Disordered Breathing (SDB) varies from habitual snoring to partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway and can be found in up to 10% of children. SDB can significantly affect children's wellbeing, as it can cause growth disorders, educational and behavioral problems, and even life-threatening conditions, such as cardiorespiratory failure. Adenotonsillectomy represents the primary treatment for pediatric SDB where adeno-tonsillar hypertrophy is indicated. For those with craniofacial anomalies, or for whom adenotonsillectomy or other treatment modalities have failed, or surgery is contra-indicated, mandibular advancement splints (MAS) may represent a viable treatment option. Whilst the efficacy of these appliances has been consistently demonstrated in adults, there is little information about their effectiveness in children.Aims: To determine the efficacy of mandibular advancement appliances for the management of SDB and related health problems in children.Methods/design: The study will be designed as a single-blind crossover randomized controlled trial with administration of both an “Active MAS” (Twin-block) and a “Sham MAS.” Eligible participants will be children aged 8–12 years whose parents report they snore ≥3 nights per week. Sixteen children will enter the full study after confirming other inclusion criteria, particularly Skeletal class I or class II confirmed by lateral cephalometric radiograph. Each child will be randomly assigned to either a treatment sequence starting with the Active or the Sham MAS. Participants will wear the appliances for 3 weeks separated by a 2-week washout period. For each participant, home-based polysomnographic data will be collected four times; once before and once after each treatment period. The Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) will represent the main outcome variable. Secondary outcomes will include, snoring frequency, masseter muscle activity, sleep symptoms, quality of life, daytime sleepiness, children behavior, and nocturnal enuresis. In addition, blood samples will be collected to assess growth hormone changes.Trial registration: This study was registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): [ACTRN12614001013651].

Quality Assessment of Systematic Reviews on the Efficacy of Oral Appliance Therapy for Adult and Pediatric Sleep-Disordered Breathing.

To assess the methodological quality of published systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) about the efficacy of oral appliances (OA) in the management of adult and pediatric sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). SRs/MAs that evaluated the efficacy of OA therapy on the treatment of SDB in human subjects of all age groups were sought. Multiple electronic databases were searched for articles published in any language from the database's inception until January 2016. Two reviewers independently selected and then assessed the methodological quality of the studies using the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) measurement tool. Thirteen reviews on adult SDB were included (2 SRs and 11 SRs with MAs). Of those, seven were medium quality and six were high quality. Only four reviews were included on pediatric SDB (3 SRs and 1 SR with MA). Three of these were of high quality and one was medium quality. The identified limitations in the included reviews were failing to reference the excluded studies or describe reasons for exclusion, lack of applying valid criteria to assess the quality of included studies, lack of publication bias assessment, and absence of conflicts of interest reporting. Overall, SRs/MAs on OA therapy for adult and pediatric SDB were conducted with acceptable methodological quality. High AMSTAR scores should not be extrapolated as a proxy of the methodological quality of the included evidence. There is a need for more primary studies and then that information can be used to be synthesized through SRs on pediatric SDB.

Executive Function in Pediatric Sleep-Disordered Breathing: A Meta-analysis.

Evaluate the association between pediatric sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and executive functioning. We searched multiple electronic databases for peer-reviewed journal articles related to pediatric SDB and executive functioning. We included studies that assessed SDB via polysomnography, included objective or questionnaire measures of executive function, and had an age-matched control group. Fourteen articles met inclusion criteria with a total sample of 1697 children ages 5 to 17 years (M=9.81 years; SD=0.34). We calculated an overall effect size for each of the five executive domains (vigilance, inhibition, working memory, shifting, and generativity) as well as effect sizes according to SDB severity: mild, moderate, severe. We also calculated effect sizes separately for objective and subjective questionnaires of executive functioning. We found a medium effect size (-0.427) for just one of five executive function domains on objective neuropsychological measures (generativity). In contrast, effect sizes on all three executive domains measured via questionnaire data were significant, with effect sizes ranging from medium (-0.64) to large (-1.06). We found no difference between executive domains by severity of SDB. This meta-analysis of executive function separated into five domains in pediatric SDB suggested lower performance in generativity on objective neuropsychological measures. There were no differences associated with SDB severity. Questionnaire data suggested dysfunction across the three executive domains measured (inhibition, working memory, shifting). Overall, limited evidence suggested poorer performance in executive function in children with SDB according to objective testing, and subjective ratings of executive function suggested additional worsened performance. (JINS, 2016, 22, 839-850).

Bimaxillary expansion therapy for pediatric sleep-disordered breathing

IntroductionThe aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the results of bimaxillary expansion as a treatment option for pediatric sleep-disordered breathing. MethodsForty-five children, aged 3–14 years, with sleep-disordered breathing underwent bimaxillary expansion. They were subjected to baseline clinical evaluations, cephalometric X-rays, and polygraphic sleep studies. Three to six months after bimaxillary expansion, posttreatment sleep studies were performed. Data were analyzed with nonparametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and Spearman’s correlations were performed to correlate cephalometric facial structures to the effectiveness of treatment. ResultsThe majority of the children (n = 30) showed improvement in their sleep scores and symptoms after bimaxillary expansion. The initial severity of the obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) indicated by the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) was a much better predictor of positive results. However, in the “mild OSA” group, patients with smaller MP–SN or counterclockwise mandibular growth, worsened with bimaxillary expansion, while patients with clockwise mandibular growth showed greater improvement; in the “severe OSA” group, patients who initially had shorter mandibular base lengths showed lesser AHI improvements. ConclusionsBimaxillary expansion can be a treatment option for improving respiratory parameters in children with sleep-disordered breathing. This study also suggests that retrognathia in an anterior growth rotation pattern may not respond to efforts of bimaxillary expansion.

Immediate and Sustained Improvement in Behavior and Life Quality by Adenotonsillectomy in Children With Sleep-Disordered Breathing.

ObjectivesTo investigate longitudinal changes in behavior and quality-of-life (QoL) in children with sleep disordered breathing (SDB) after adenotonsillectomy (AT).MethodsThis study prospectively enrolled 148 children who underwent AT for SDB. Caregivers filled out Korean attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) rating scale (K-ARS) and Korean version of the obstructive sleep apnea-18 (KOSA-18) at preoperative 1 day, postoperative 1 month, and postoperative 6 months. Longitudinal changes in K-ARS and KOSA-18 were evaluated and compared among subgroups.ResultsBoth K-ARS and KOSA-18 scores improved immediately at postoperative 1 month and were maintained at postoperative 6 months. The mean preoperative K-ARS scores of the non-ADHD, ADHD-trait, and overt-ADHD groups showed uniformly immediate and sustained improvements. Also, the mean preoperative KOSA-18 scores of the small, moderate, and large impact groups were significantly improved both at postoperative 1 month and 6 months. The changes in behavior and QoL showed no significant differences with regard to the aforementioned factors.ConclusionAfter AT, we may expect immediate and sustained improvements in behavior and QoL in children with SDB regardless of preoperative symptom severity. Moreover, by performing AT, improvements in behavior and QoL are expected regardless of sex, age, allergic trait, or concurrent coblation-assisted turbinoplasty. These findings may help our colleague physicians counselling pediatric SDB patients and their caregivers.

Cognition, temperament, and cerebral blood flow velocity in toddlers and preschool children with sleep-disordered breathing or behavioral insomnia of childhood

BackgroundCognitive decrements, problematic behaviors, and increased cerebral blood flow velocities (CBFVs) have been reported in children aged 3–7 years with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Whether similar impairments exist in younger children or those with behavioral insomnia of childhood (BIC) remains unclear. This study aimed to compare cognition and temperament in children aged 1–5 years with SDB or BIC to healthy control children, and to investigate whether cognitive or behavioral deficits associated with sleep problems are related to changes in CBFV. MethodToddlers and preschool-aged children (12–67 months) who had been referred for the clinical evaluation of SDB (n = 20) or BIC (n = 13) and a comparative sample of non-snoring healthy sleepers (controls; n = 77) were recruited from the community. Children underwent cognitive assessment (Mullen's Scale of Early Learning) and measurement of resting bilateral CBFV in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) using Transcranial Doppler. Parents completed temperament scales (Early Childhood or Childhood Behavior Questionnaire), a sleep problem questionnaire (Pediatric Sleep Problem Survey Instrument) and performed home-based pediatric sleep monitoring (Actigraphy and Sleep Diary). ResultsSDB children demonstrated impaired receptive skills, more hyperactive and energetic temperaments, and higher bilateral CBFV than controls and children with BIC. Logistic regression analyses indicated that impaired cognition, temperamental difficulties, and increased CBFV are independently associated with SDB. ConclusionsDuring early childhood, problematic temperaments, cognitive deficits, and altered cerebrovascular functioning are associated with SDB but not BIC. CBFV does not appear to mediate these daytime deficits and instead may be an independent outcome of SDB. The findings support the need for an early intervention in pediatric SDB.

Home sleep testing for the diagnosis of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea: the times they are a changing...!

The current paradigm shift in the diagnosis of sleep apnea in adults has further emphasized the urgent need for the development and validation of less inconvenient and laborious approaches than the in-laboratory nocturnal polysomnography for evaluation of children. These efforts have been primarily centered around the following: first, refinements and validation of questionnaires; second, single-channel recordings such as oximetry, airflow, or ECG; third, home-based polysomnography and polygraphy; and fourth, biomarkers. The major overall findings emanating from such studies indicate that none of the approaches provides an ideal substitute to in-laboratory nocturnal polysomnography. Conversely, many of the proposed approaches enable effective screening in a cost-effective manner, and may be particularly suitable when access to pediatric sleep medicine facilities is limited or unavailable. The overall improvements in technologies and in our understanding of pediatric sleep-disordered breathing should enable population-tailored effective home-based diagnostic approaches that reduce the overall burden to the family, while achieving high levels of diagnostic accuracy. Newer algorithms will have to be developed and validated to allow for effective implementation of such approaches.

Parental poverty and occupation as risk factors for pediatric sleep-disordered breathing

Objectives/BackgroundPrevious studies have found associations between pediatric sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and socioeconomic status (SES), as well as a neighborhood-related disadvantage. This study analyzes the association among familial SES, parental occupation, and SDB in Swedish offspring. MethodsA nationwide dataset was constructed by linking Swedish census data to hospital discharge register data on all first hospitalizations of children and adolescents aged 0–18 years during the study period 1997–2007. The outcome was SDB, defined as diagnostic codes for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), adenotonsillar hypertrophy, or tonsillar hypertrophy. Familial SES was defined as family income and maternal education. The odds ratio (OR) was calculated with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results34,933 of three million children had a first hospital diagnosis of SDB. The OR was significantly increased in offspring in families with a low income (1.79) and maternal education (1.21). Significantly increased ORs were found in 14 of 38 maternal (37%) and 13 of 48 paternal (27%) occupations, and six of them involved both parents: drivers, welders, and workers in mechanics and iron metalware, chemical processing, and manufacture of food and glass. A significantly decreased OR was found in 12 (25%) of the paternal occupations, e.g., scientists, physicians, teachers, artists, administrators, and farmers, as well as in maternal occupations, such as artists and farmers, with offspring aged 0–6 years. ConclusionThis study indicates that low familial SES and parental occupations associated with a low educational level increased, whereas academic parental occupations and farmers decreased the risk of SDB in offspring.

Impact of allergic rhinitis on quality of life after adenotonsillectomy for pediatric sleep-disordered breathing.

Adenotonsillar hypertrophy is an undisputed major contributor to the development of pediatric sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). However, some children with SDB have experienced a worsening of quality of life (QOL) after adenotonsillectomy. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors of deteriorating QOL after adenotonsillectomy. This was an observational cohort study at a single institute and consisted of 70 children with SDB who underwent adenotonsillectomy. The QOL was evaluated using the 18-item quality-of-life survey for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA-18) prior to surgery (S1), and at 1 month (S2), 6 months (S3), and 12 months (S4) postoperatively. Deterioration of QOL was defined as an increase in total scores of S3 and/or S4 by more than 25% of those on S2. Patients were categorized into rhinitis/nonrhinitis and atopy/non-atopy using the nasal symptom questionnaire and skin-prick test, respectively. The mean total scores of S2 and S4 were significantly lower than those of S1 (p < 0.001); however, some patients (n = 27, 38.6%) experienced an increase in scores. Patients with worsened QOL showed higher total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels (p = 0.034) and complained of a rhinitis symptom more frequently (p = 0.039). Children with atopy were more likely to experience deterioration of QOL than those without (p = 0.004). In addition, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that allergic rhinitis (AR) was a predictor for deterioration of QOL. This study suggests that AR may be a risk factor for deterioration of long-term QOL after adenotonsillectomy. Therefore, preoperative evaluation and proper management of AR might be considered in pediatric SDB.

Mouth breathing, "nasal disuse," and pediatric sleep-disordered breathing.

Adenotonsillectomy (T&A) may not completely eliminate sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), and residual SDB can result in progressive worsening of abnormal breathing during sleep. Persistence of mouth breathing post-T&As plays a role in progressive worsening through an increase of upper airway resistance during sleep with secondary impact on orofacial growth. Retrospective study on non-overweight and non-syndromic prepubertal children with SDB treated by T&A with pre- and post-surgery clinical and polysomnographic (PSG) evaluations including systematic monitoring of mouth breathing (initial cohort). All children with mouth breathing were then referred for myofunctional treatment (MFT), with clinical follow-up 6months later and PSG 1year post-surgery. Only a limited subgroup followed the recommendations to undergo MFT with subsequent PSG (follow-up subgroup). Sixty-four prepubertal children meeting inclusion criteria for the initial cohort were investigated. There was significant symptomatic improvement in all children post-T&A, but 26 children had residual SDB with an AHI > 1.5 events/hour and 35 children (including the previous 26) had evidence of "mouth breathing" during sleep as defined [minimum of 44% and a maximum of 100% of total sleep time, mean 69 ± 11% "mouth breather" subgroup and mean 4 ± 3.9%, range 0 and 10.3% "non-mouth breathers"]. Eighteen children (follow-up cohort), all in the "mouth breathing" group, were investigated at 1year follow-up with only nine having undergone 6months of MFT. The non- MFT subjects were significantly worse than the MFT-treated cohort. MFT led to normalization of clinical and PSG findings. Assessment of mouth breathing during sleep should be systematically performed post-T&A and the persistence of mouth breathing should be treated with MFT.

Pediatric sleep apnea-a simplified approach

Pediatric sleep-disordered breathing in children is a spectrum of primary snoring, upper airway resistance syndrome, obstructive hypoventilation, and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The prevalence of pediatric OSAS is 1%-3%. Pediatric OSAS is most commonly caused by adenoid and tonsillar hypertrophy, which is correctable by surgery. The gold standard test for diagnosis is polysomnography (PSG). OSA in children is a distinct disorder form that occurs in adults with respect to clinical manifestations, PSG diagnostic criteria, and treatment approaches. In addition, PSG has its own challenges in children. Hence, simplification of approach by appropriate use of alternative diagnostic tests including oximetry scoring systems, questionnaires, and home respiratory polygraphy is highlighted. This will ensure early diagnosis, referral for corrective surgical management versus medical therapy on basis of severity, and performance of PSG in only selective cases.

Pediatric sleep-disordered breathing and oral medicine

Pediatric sleep-disordered breathing, also known as obstructive sleep apnea and hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in children, is caused by obstruction of upper airway, characterized by repetitive pauses in breathing during sleep despite the effort to breathe, and usually leads to reduction in oxygen saturation. Due to the importance of sufficient oxygen in growth and development, many children patients suffer from abnormal secretion of growth hormone at night, and also their activity and resting of cerebral cortex during sleep. Therefore, they face great risks in keeping normal physical growth, forming mental behavior, building up learning ability and shaping personalities. It is a very important interdisciplinary subject, yet still much remains unclear about the disease. Oral medicine is one of the subjects that show increasing importance in prevention and treatment of OSAHS in children. On one hand, due to the special means of the field, such as cephalometric, it can diagnose and monitor the development of craniofacial structures, especially the upper airway. On the other hand, it can provide treatments which can both improve breath during sleep and consequent dental facial deformities. Most typical treatments include mandibular sagittal growth stimulation, transverse maxillary palatal expansion and maxillary protraction. Oral medicine provides additional treatment apart from traditional adenectomy and tonsilectomy to improve ventilation. It not only directly helps to improve deformities caused by sleep-disordered breathing in OSAHS children with indications, but also helps to avoid many of physical and mental complications, which will in turn benefit their life quality. Also, it may prospectively provide insights in treatment and prevention of OSAHS in adults.

Paediatric sleep resources in Canada: The scope of the problem.

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is prevalent in children and is associated with significant comorbidity. To describe paediatric sleep physician and diagnostic testing resources for SDB in Canadian children. A 38-item, Internet-based survey was sent to the 32 members of the Canadian Pediatric Sleep Network (CPSN). A shorter telephone survey was administered to all 182 non-CPSN sleep laboratories across Canada. Responses were obtained from 29 of 31 (91%) CPSN members and 121 of 182 (66%) non-CPSN sleep facilities. Sixty-seven of 121 (55%) of the responding non-CPSN facilities reported that they see children <18 years of age. Thirty-six of 121 (30%) and 23 of 121 (19%), respectively, see children ≤12 years of age or ≤8 years of age. Marked disparities across provinces/territories were observed, with no practitioners or polysomnography in the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Alberta has the smallest ratio of children to practitioners (approximately 167,000 to 1) and Ontario has the smallest ratio of children to polysomnograms performed per year (approximately 487,000 to 1). Reported wait times for polysomnography ranged from <1 month, to 1.5 to 2 years. In paediatric tertiary care centres, the number of polysomnograms performed per year ranged from 55 to 700 (median 480) and in other laboratories the range was 400 to 4000 (median 1100). The present study demonstrates a significant lack of resources and services for paediatric SDB care across Canada, with pronounced geographical disparities. Even if only affected children were tested with polysomnography, the authors estimate there are 7.5 times more children with SDB than current testing capacity.

Adenoid Hypertrophy in Pediatric Sleep Disordered Breathing and Craniofacial Growth: The Emerging Role of Dentistry

sleep disordered breathing (SDB); and can be an etiologic cause of altered craniofacial growth characterized by long face, retrusive chin, and narrow maxilla. Early detection and treatment may mitigate or resolve negative effects of adenoid hypertrophy. Adenoidectomy remains a front line treatment for the majority of cases, although alternative treatments must be considered when different SDB etiologies and co-morbidities are present. Best available evidence suggests that rapid maxillary expansion and adenoidectomy work synergistically to resolve SDB symptoms, and often both treatments are necessary for full treatment effect. Conclusions: Primary care dentists, pediatric dentists, and orthodontists have an important role in early detection of adenoid hypertrophy. Emerging evidence continues to demonstrate dental treatments as playing an increasingly important role in multidisciplinary management of pediatric SDB.

Bronchial asthma and obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome: Another overlap or mere coincidence

Pediatric sleep-disordered breathing in children is a spectrum of primary snoring, upper airway resistance syndrome, obstructive hypoventilation, and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The prevalence of pediatric OSAS is 1%-3%. Pediatric OSAS is most commonly caused by adenoid and tonsillar hypertrophy, which is correctable by surgery. The gold standard test for diagnosis is polysomnography (PSG). OSA in children is a distinct disorder form that occurs in adults with respect to clinical manifestations, PSG diagnostic criteria, and treatment approaches. In addition, PSG has its own challenges in children. Hence, simplification of approach by appropriate use of alternative diagnostic tests including oximetry scoring systems, questionnaires, and home respiratory polygraphy is highlighted. This will ensure early diagnosis, referral for corrective surgical management versus medical therapy on basis of severity, and performance of PSG in only selective cases.