Treatment Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea In Children Research Articles

The effect of Le Fort III procedure in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in children with syndromic craniosynostosis.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common in children with syndromic craniosynostosis (SC). The efficacy of the Le Fort III procedure in managing OSA in children with SC remains a subject of ongoing debate. This study aimed to explore the efficacy of Le Fort III procedure in the management of OSA in children with SC. A retrospective study was performed in children with SC and OSA diagnosed by polysomnography, which was defined as an apnea-hypopnea index ≥ 1 event/h. Patients meeting the inclusion criteria were those who underwent Le Fort III surgery and had both baseline polysomnography and follow-up sleep studies. Relevant clinical and demographic data were collected from all individuals who participated in the study. Overall, 45 children with OSA and SC were identified, with a mean age of 6.8 ± 4.7 years. Twenty-five received the Le Fort III procedure and follow-up sleep studies. The Le Fort III procedure resulted in a significant reduction in apnea-hypopnea index (6.0 [2.6, 10.1] vs 37.6 [20.9, 48.0] events/h; P < .001). However, normalization of OSA was only achieved in 1 patient (4%). The Le Fort III procedure is efficacious in the treatment of OSA in children with SC. However, despite the observed improvement, residual OSA following treatment remains common. Chang Y, Zhang W, Li M, etal. The effect of Le Fort III procedure in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in children with syndromic craniosynostosis. J Clin Sleep Med. 2024;20(8):1301-1311.

Mandibular Advancement Appliances in Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea: An Umbrella Review.

Introduction Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is defined as intermittent partial or complete collapse of the upper airway during sleep. It is a common condition in childhood, with an incidence ranging from 1.2% to 5.7%, and it can harm several aspects of children's life, such as cognitive, metabolic and cardiovascular functions, among others. There are treatment options, such as adenotonsillectomy, myofunctional therapy, mandibular advancement appliances (MAAs), rapid maxillary expansion, and positive airway pressure devices, but there is still doubt about which method is more suitable for the treatment of OSA in children. Objective To analyze the effectiveness of MAAs in the treatment of pediatric OSA. Materials and Methods The search was conducted in August 2021 in different electronic databases, such as PubMed, EBSCO (Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source), LILACS, Ovid, SciELO, Web of Science, EMBASE BIREME, BBO BIREME, and the Cochrane Library. Results Only three systematic reviews and two meta-analyses were included in the present study. All studies showed improvement in the score on the apnea-hypopnea index after using MAAs in the treatment of pediatric OSA. Conclusion Although more randomized studies are needed, based on the present umbrella review, MAAs must be considered part of the multidisciplinary treatment for pediatric OSA.

0796 Safety and efficacy of the combination of atomoxetine and oxybutynin for OSA treatment in children with Down Syndrome

Abstract Introduction Children with Down syndrome (DS) are at very high risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), with a prevalence of OSA of 50-79%. Current OSA treatments for children with DS have limited effectiveness, as positive airway pressure therapy is poorly tolerated and adenotonsillectomy is not curative in most children with DS. The combination of atomoxetine and oxybutynin (ato-oxy) is a promising OSA treatment in adults. Ato-oxy has been shown to improve upper airway hypotonia, a key feature of OSA in children with DS, thus it may be particularly effective for OSA in children with DS. Methods We performed a randomized, double-blind, crossover pilot trial examining the short-term efficacy of ato-oxy in 15 children aged 6 to 17 years with DS and OSA. Participants received 4 weeks of low dose (0.5 mg/kg atomoxetine and 5 mg oxybutynin) as well as 4 weeks of high dose (1.2 mg/kg atomoxetine and 5 mg oxybutynin) in random order. Participants underwent polysomnography as well as parent-reported health-related quality of life assessment using the OSA-18 at baseline and at the end of each dosing period. The primary study endpoint was reduction in obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (oAHI) from baseline. Paired t-tests were used to compare baseline to low and high dose ato-oxy. Results 15 participants qualified for randomization and 11 participants had complete data at all points. Baseline oAHI was 7.4 ± 3.7 (mean ± standard deviation), oAHI with low dose ato-oxy was 3.6 ± 3.3 (p=0.001 vs baseline) and oAHI with high dose ato-oxy was 3.9 ± 2.8 (p=0.003 vs baseline). There were no differences in sleep architecture or sleep efficiency between baseline and either dose of ato-oxy. OSA-18 total score was 51.5 ± 18.5 at baseline; improved to 44.6 ± 17.0 (p=0.09) at the end of 4-weeks of low dose ato-oxy; and improved to 45.5 ± 15.7 (p=0.37) at the end of high-dose ato-oxy therapy. The most common adverse effects were irritability and fatigue, and these were generally mild. Conclusion Ato-oxy is a promising treatment for OSA in children with DS. Support (if any) Funding provided by NIH (HL151254 and HD109777) as well as the Lumind-IDSC foundation.

Personalized Medicine and Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disease that is often under-diagnosed and under-treated in all ages. This is due to differences in morphology, diversity in clinical phenotypes, and differences in diagnosis and treatment of OSA in children and adults, even among individuals of the same age. Therefore, a personalized medicine approach to diagnosis and treatment of OSA is necessary for physicians in clinical practice. In children and adults without serious underlying medical conditions, polysomnography at sleep labs may be an inappropriate and inconvenient testing modality compared to home sleep apnea testing. In addition, the apnea-hypopnea index should not be considered as a single parameter for making treatment decisions. Thus, the treatment of OSA should be personalized and based on individual tolerance to sleep-quality-related parameters measured by the microarousal index, harmful effects of OSA on the cardiovascular system related to severe hypoxia, and patients' comorbidities. The current treatment options for OSA include lifestyle modification, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliance, surgery, and other alternative treatments. CPAP therapy has been recommended as a cornerstone treatment for moderate-to-severe OSA in adults. However, not all patients can afford or tolerate CPAP therapy. This narrative review seeks to describe the current concepts and relevant approaches towards personalized management of patients with OSA, according to pathophysiology, cluster analysis of clinical characteristics, adequate combined therapy, and the consideration of patients' expectations.

Debates in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea treatment.

Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is among the most common sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) diseases in children. Its high prevalence and multiple systemic complications lead to increasing numbers of children and families affected by OSA. Timely diagnosis and effective intervention in children with this condition is extremely important in improving their prognosis. The major approaches in the treatment of OSA in children are to eliminate the causes of upper airway obstruction and prevent and treat complications. Considering the specific individual differences in children's growth and development, as well as the diversity of etiologies in children's OSA, pediatric treatment strategies need to be precise, multidisciplinary, and individualized. First-line clinical treatment consists of surgical (adenotonsillectomy) and non-surgical therapies [including anti-inflammatory medications and non-invasive ventilation (NIV)]. However, a considerable controversy exists concerning the indications, treatment standards, and the evaluation of the efficacy of the aforementioned treatment methods. In this review, reviews and assessment of literature studies and multidisciplinary clinical experience were performed to analyze the application of each treatment and discuss controversial issues and future research directions. We suggest that the above interventions should be tailored to each child's needs, comorbidities, and the availability and expertise of the practitioner. The ideal case is when a multidisciplinary team of doctors together with the patients and their parents, or guardians, have a thorough discussion regarding the benefits and risks of all available treatment options and all agree on an effective treatment plan.

0893 Myofunctional Therapy in Children With Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract Introduction OSA affects 2-4% of children and untreated OSA can have adverse behavior and quality of life outcomes. 40% of children can have residual obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)despite first line treatment (adenotonsillectomy). Alternative modalities of treatment for OSA are limited. Myofunctional therapy comprises of exercises targeting upper airway muscles that can improve facial growth and have been shown to treat OSA in adults. There is paucity of data on the role of myofunctional therapy (MT) in children. The objective of this study was to systematically review the literature for articles evaluating myofunctional therapy (MT) as treatment for OSA in children and to perform a meta-analysis on the polysomnographic and mouth breathing data. Methods Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane were searched from inception through October 1st, 2019. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement was followed. Results Eight studies (91 patients) reported polysomnography and/or mouth breathing outcomes. The pre- and post-MT apnea hypopnea indices (AHI) decreased from a mean ± standard deviation (M ± SD) of 3.75± 3.14/h to 2.08 ± 2.48/h, mean difference (MD) -1.6 [95% confidence interval (CI) -2.42, -0.78], P =0.0001. Mean oxygen saturations improved from 96.03 ± 1.1% to 96.67 ± 0.95%, MD 0.42 (95% CI 0.21, 0.63), P &amp;lt;0.0001. Lowest oxygen saturations improved from 86.6 ± 7.3% to 90.94 ± 3.05%, MD 1.01 (95% CI 0.25, 1.77), P = 0.009. Mouth breathing decreased in all three studies reporting subjective outcomes. Conclusion Current literature demonstrates that myofunctional therapy decreases apnea-hypopnea index by approximately 45% in children with mild obstructive sleep apnea. Mean oxygen saturations, lowest oxygen saturations and mouth breathing outcomes improved in children. Myofunctional therapy could serve as an adjunct to other obstructive sleep apnea treatments. Support None

Predictive equation for optimal continuous positive airway pressure in children with obstructive sleep apnoea.

AimA subgroup of children with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) requires treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). This study's aims were: 1) to determine if the optimal CPAP for the treatment of OSA in children correlates with body mass index (BMI); 2) to determine the correlation between polysomnographic variables and optimal CPAP in children with OSA; and 3) to develop a CPAP predictive equation for children with OSA.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of children with OSA who underwent CPAP titration studies. Patients with craniofacial abnormalities (except Down syndrome) and neuromuscular diseases were excluded. Polysomnograms were done using Sandman Elite. Correlations between optimal CPAP, clinical and polysomnographic variables were analysed. A multivariable linear regression model for optimal CPAP was developed.Results198 children (mean±sd age 13.1±3.6 years) were studied. Optimal CPAP had a significant positive correlation with age (rho=0.216, p=0.002), obstructive apnoea-hypopnoea index (rho=0.421, p<0.001), 3% oxygen desaturation index (rho=0.417, p<0.001), rapid eye movement respiratory disturbance index (rho=0.378, p<0.001) and BMI z-score (rho=0.160, p=0.024); and a significant negative correlation with arterial oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry nadir (rho= −0.333, p<0.001). The predictive equation derived was:Optimal CPAP (cmH2O)=6.486+0.273·age (years)−0.664·adenotonsillectomy(no=1, yes=0)+2.120·Down syndrome (yes=1, no=0)+0.280·BMI z-score.ConclusionThe equation developed may help to predict optimal CPAP in children with OSA. Further studies are required to validate this equation and to determine its applicability in different populations.

Anti-inflammatory medications for obstructive sleep apnoea in children.

Anti-inflammatory medications for obstructive sleep apnoea in children.

The effect of tonsillectomy on obstructive sleep apnea: an overview of systematic reviews.

ObjectiveTonsillectomy with adenoidectomy is a combination surgery that has been used to treat pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). For adults, tonsillectomy has also been reported as a primary treatment modality when the tissue is hypertrophied. The objective of this study is to provide an overview of published systematic reviews and meta-analyses of tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy as used in the treatment of OSA in children and adults.Data sourcesNine databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE.Review methodsDatabases were searched from their inception through July 9, 2017. The PRISMA statement was followed.ResultsMore than 20 recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses were identified regarding tonsillectomy as a treatment modality for OSA. There were four articles that addressed tonsillectomy’s overall success, efficacy, and complications in otherwise healthy pediatric patients. Three studies evaluated tonsillectomy in obese children, and two specifically examined children with Down syndrome. Only one systematic review and meta-analysis discussed tonsillectomy as a treatment for OSA in the adult population.ConclusionTonsillectomy as an isolated treatment modality is rarely performed in pediatric patients with OSA; however, tonsillectomy is commonly performed in combination with adenoidectomy and the combination has demonstrated efficacy as the primary treatment option for most children. In the limited adult data, tonsillectomy alone for OSA has a surprising success rate; yet, more research is required to determine long-term improvement and need for further treatment.

The effect of adenotonsillectomy on obstructive sleep apnea in children with Down syndrome

Objective: Children with Down syndrome (DS) are liable to develop obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to many anatomical airway abnormalities. The tonsils and adenoid occupy part of the airway space, and their removal may be helpful in relieving airway obstruction. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of adenotonsillectomy in the treatment of OSA in those children.Methods: Fifty DS children with difficult breathing were recruited, and they were subjected to polysomnographic examination (PSG). Patients with apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) > 1 were considered to have OSA. Adenotonsillectomy was performed for patients who had OSA and adenotonsillar hypertrophy, and after 3 months PSG was done for them with recording of the same preoperative parameters.Results: Forty-three children demonstrated OSA on PSG, and they were included in the study. The preoperative mean AHI was 9.18 (± 6.17) that improved postoperatively to 2.72 (± 3.80) with its normalization in 72% of patients. Also, significant improvement of arousal index, minimum oxygen saturation, desaturation index, and peak end-tidal CO2 was achieved postoperatively.Conclusion: Adenotonsillectomy is an effective method for the treatment of OSA in children with DS. However, the condition may persist in some children who usually have airway narrowing at multiple levels.

Characteristics and surgical and clinical outcomes of severely obese children with obstructive sleep apnea.

To describe characteristics and surgical and clinical outcomes of obese children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). At our institution from 2000 to 2010, 143 obese children with an overnight polysomnography (OPSG) diagnosis of OSA, excluding children with comorbidities, were identified. Relationships between demographics, clinical findings, and the severity of OSA were assessed. Presurgery and postsurgery OPSG indices were compared. We defined cure as an apneahypopnea index (AHI) < 1.5/h on the postsurgery OPSG, and we compared the cure rates of different surgeries. A total of 143 children, median age 12.4 y (interquartile range [IQR] 9.6-14.9) and BMI z-scores 2.8 (IQR 2.6-2.9), were included. Seventy-eight (55%) (Median age 12 y [IQR 9-15]) underwent surgery: 1 had tonsillectomy; 1 tonsillectomy + uvulopharyngopalatoplasty (UPPP); 23 adenotonsillectomy (AT); 27 AT + UPPP; 11 adenoidectomy + UPPP; 8 UPPP; and 7 AT + turbinate trim ± tongue base suspension. Overall, surgery cured 19 children (26%), but AHI improved in the majority of children (p = 0.001). Similarly, the arousal index, PETCO2, and SpO2 nadir improved significantly (p < 0.002, p = 0.019, p < 0.001, respectively). AHI improved significantly in children with mild-to-moderate OSA in comparison to severe OSA (p < 0.001). Children with enlarged tonsils and no history of prior surgery benefitted more often from surgery (p < 0.004 and p = 0.002, respectively). AT was the only surgery reducing the AHI significantly (p = 0.008). Children did not lose weight despite intervention. Adherence with PAP was poor. Surgery improved OPSG indices in the majority of obese children with OSA.

Not Just Surgery and CPAP: Treatment of OSA

Drs Dubik and Slayton have disclosed no financial relationship relevant to this commentary. This commentary does not contain a discussion of an unapproved/investigative use of a commercial product/device.In a recently published review, Drs Tapia and Marcus from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia provide a summary and analysis of the latest research on treatment modalities for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).1 Adenotonsillectomy (T&A) is the primary treatment for OSA in children. This is because the peak incidence of pediatric OSA occurs between 2 and 8 years of age, when the relative size of the tonsils and adenoids is greatest. (See AAP Grand Rounds, November 2013;30[5]:49.2) However, T&A is not always completely effective, especially among children with other significant factors contributing to their OSA (eg, craniofacial anomalies, decreased tone, and obesity). (See AAP Grand Rounds, August 2010;24[2]:25.3)Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can be extremely effective but is often difficult to administer to children, making compliance challenging.4 Even among motivated adults, compliance represents a major hurdle. A less intrusive, nonsurgical intervention that is widely used is anti-inflammatory medication, such as intranasal steroids. While many questions remain to be clarified, intranasal steroids have been shown to provide modest benefit and can play an important adjunctive role in the treatment of mild OSA.5 Oral and orthodontic treatments have also been used for the treatment of OSA. While there is a place among select adult patients with mild OSA for an oral appliance,6 there is simply not enough research with pediatric patients to recommend this approach. Alternatively, children with a narrow palate may benefit from rapid maxillary expansion (RME),7 which widens the maxillary arch and increases both the oral and nasal portions of the airway. After RME, there is measurable improvement of the nasal resistance.8The use of humidified and warmed air via an open nasal cannula has shown promise in some studies9 and may be a more acceptable way to deliver some of the beneficial effects of CPAP. However, additional work needs to be done before nasal insufflation can be recommended. Positional therapy can play an important role in both the diagnosis and treatment of adults with OSA. However, the importance of body position in children is not clear. Finally, although one would reasonably expect that children with OSA and obesity would benefit from weight loss, this is another area with little research.The authors conclude that, in addition to CPAP and T&A, there appears to be a place for intranasal steroids and RME among select pediatric patients with OSA. Additional research is clearly warranted on these and other treatment modalities for this difficult problem.

Adenotonsillectomy for the Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children With Congenital Craniosynostosis Syndromes

Children with congenital craniosynostosis syndromes have a high incidence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Obstructive sleep apnea has significant consequences including impaired growth, learning and behavioral problems, and cardiovascular morbidity. Adenotonsillectomy is the treatment of choice for OSA in otherwise healthy children. In children with craniosynostosis syndromes, airway abnormalities may exist at multiple levels, but midface hypoplasia leading to a reduced nasopharyngeal airway is a common significant factor; here, even normal-sized adenoids and tonsils may contribute to obstruction. To date, few studies have evaluated adenotonsillectomy for the treatment of OSA in children with syndromic craniosynostosis. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of adenotonsillectomy by comparing preoperative and postoperative sleep study data. We also evaluated whether adenotonsillectomy could obviate the need for tracheostomy in these patients. Five children with syndromic craniosynostosis and moderate to severe OSA underwent adenotonsillectomy at a mean age of 4.0 years (range, 1.7-5.1 y). Two patients (40%) showed improvement in OSA severity grade and 1 patient had complete resolution. Three children (60%) avoided tracheostomy and had no further airway surgery. Our results provide evidence to support the use of adenotonsillectomy in treating OSA in children with syndromic craniosynostosis. Adenotonsillectomy should be considered before tracheostomy or more major surgery in this patient group.

Die kindliche obstruktive Schlafapnoe

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disease in children. It is defined by the onset of snoring, hypopneas or apneas with impaired sleep and daytime function. Obstruction of the upper airway during sleep is the underlying pathogenetic mechanism. It is caused either by an anatomic obstruction, increased airway collapsibility or both. Normally OSA in children is diagnosed by its typical anamnesis including snoring and exerted breathing patterns. The diagnosis is confirmed in unclear cases using polysomnography. Treatment consists of conservative measures such as weight reduction and--provided appropriate anatomical findings exist--adenotonsillectomy or adenotonsillotomy. Surgery is an effective treatment for OSA in children as proven by numerous studies of high evidence levels.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Adenotonsillectomy Outcomes

Research Article| August 01 2010 Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Adenotonsillectomy Outcomes AAP Grand Rounds (2010) 24 (2): 25. https://doi.org/10.1542/gr.24-2-25 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Adenotonsillectomy Outcomes. AAP Grand Rounds August 2010; 24 (2): 25. https://doi.org/10.1542/gr.24-2-25 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search nav search search input Search input auto suggest search filter All AAP SitesAll PublicationsAll JournalsAAP Grand RoundsPediatricsHospital PediatricsPediatrics In ReviewNeoReviewsAAP News Search Advanced Search Topics: obstructive sleep apnea, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, obesity Source: Bhattacharjee R, Kheirandish-Gozal L, Spruyt K, et al. Adenotonsillectomy outcomes in treatment of OSA in children: a multicenter retrospective study. Am J Resp Crit Care Med. 2010; 181(10): 1114– 1120; doi: https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.200912-1930OCGoogle Scholar To assess the efficacy of surgical removal of the tonsils and adenoids (adenotonsillectomy [AT]) in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children, and to delineate factors associated with persistent OSA, a retrospective review of pre- and postsurgery polysomnograms (PSG) was conducted at eight facilities in the US and Europe. Inclusion criteria included the performance of a postoperative PSG conducted >40 and <720 days after surgery. Children with a potentially confounding medical condition such as Down syndrome or Prader-Willi syndrome were excluded. Demographic factors affecting post-surgery apnea hypopnea index (AHI) were determined... Copyright © 2010 by the American Academy of Pediatrics2010 You do not currently have access to this content.

Findings on MR Sleep Studies as Biomarkers to Predict Outcome of Genioglossus Advancement in the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children and Young Adults

Genioglossus advancement, an operation to pull the tongue anteriorly, is a treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) secondary to glossoptosis. MRI predictors to identify which children will benefit from genioglossus advancement would be helpful for planning. We reviewed imaging findings on MR sleep studies as biomarkers to predict success or failure of genioglossus advancement in the treatment of OSA in children and young adults. Twenty-eight patients who had undergone genioglossus advancement and preoperative MRI were identified. For each subject, genioglossus advancement, which was performed to treat OSA, was categorized as a success or failure on the basis of polysomnography and clinical criteria. Static and dynamic cine MR sequences were retrospectively evaluated for multiple parameters including measurements of the size of the tongue and of the bony confines of the supraglottic airway, the ratio of tongue size to bony confines size, static size and dynamic changes of the retroglossal airway, tonsil size, and soft palate thickness. Radiologists were blinded to the outcome of genioglossus advancement (i.e., success or failure category). Numeric biomarkers were compared in an analysis-of-covariance model adjusting for patient age. Genioglossus advancement was successful for the treatment of OSA in 17 patients and failed in 11 patients. The relative size of the tongue (tongue-bony confines ratio) was larger in patients with a successful surgical outcome than in those for whom the procedure failed (mean ratio, 0.51 vs 0.46; p = 0.023). Smaller adenoids were associated with a successful outcome (mean size of adenoids, 9.1 vs 12.4 mm; p = 0.049). No other biomarker-including absolute tongue size and airway size or dynamic airway motion-was significant. The relative (not absolute) tongue size and small size of the adenoid tonsils on MRI were predictors of success of genioglossus advancement for the treatment of glossoptosis causing OSA. These findings may be helpful in guiding surgical decision making in children with OSA.

Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in children

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children is a frequent disease for which optimal diagnostic methods are still being defined. Treatment of OSA in children should include providing space, improving craniofacial growth, resolving all symptoms, and preventing the development of the disease in the adult years. Adenotonsillectomy (T&A) has been the treatment of choice and thought to solve young patient's OSA problem, which is not the case for most adults. Recent reports showed success rates that vary from 27.2% to 82.9%. Children snoring regularly generally have a narrow maxilla compared to children who do not snore. The impairment of nasal breathing with increased nasal resistance has a well-documented negative impact on early childhood maxilla-mandibular development, making the upper airway smaller and might lead to adult OSA. Surgery in young children should be performed as early as possible to prevent the resulting morphologic changes and neurobehavioral, cardiovascular, endocrine, and metabolic complications. Close postoperative follow-up to monitor for residual disease is equally important. As the proportion of obese children has been increasing recently, parents should be informed about the weight gain after T&A. Multidisciplinary evaluation of the anatomic abnormalities in children with OSA leads to better overall treatment outcome.

Sleep, sleep disorders and inflammation in children

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and, more specifically, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), can lead to significant morbidities including cardiovascular morbidity and neurocognitive dysfunction in children. Oxidative stress and increased inflammatory process activity are thought to be linked to the morbid consequences of OSA. Clinical and laboratory-based approaches have shown that oxidative stress and inflammation may be further modulated by genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors. Surgical treatment for OSA in children has been shown to be at least partially effective at normalizing endothelial function, reducing levels of inflammatory markers, and improving lipid profile, the apnea–hypopnea index and sleep fragmentation.

The effect of treatment of obstructive sleep apnea on quality of life in children with cerebral palsy

Benefits of treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children with cerebral palsy could differ from those in otherwise healthy children. We examined the effects of OSA treatment by comparing a group of children with cerebral palsy treated with adenotonsillectomy or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) by nasal mask with controls who had not received treatment. Parents completed a structured questionnaire assessing change in their child's quality of life (QOL) and OSA symptoms after treatment, or between 6 months ago and the present time for controls. Fifty-one children were eligible, of whom 19 (37%) completed questionnaires: treatment group, n = 10 (adenotonsillectomy 7, CPAP 3); and controls, n = 9. The treatment group showed an improvement in OSA symptoms compared to controls, especially sleep disturbance ( p = 0.005), daytime functioning ( p = 0.03) and caregiver concern ( p = 0.03). Parental QOL score improved by a mean of 18% in the treatment group ( p = 0.06 for a difference from controls). Treatment of OSA in children with cerebral palsy leads to significant benefit in some aspects of health and QOL.

Behavioural and neurocognitive implications of snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea in children: facts and theory.

The pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), a common condition in children, is poorly understood. While adenotonsillar hypertrophy is certainly a major contributor, other factors are needed for OSA to develop. OSA has been associated with substantial morbidities primarily affecting cardiovascular and neurobehavioural systems which may not be completely reversed with appropriate treatment. This paper reviews the available information and attempts to provide the rationale for early diagnosis and treatment of OSA in children.