Managing the Child with Persistent Sleep Apnea

Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2019 Oct;52(5):891-901. doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2019.06.004. Epub 2019 Jul 10.

Abstract

Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects 2% to 4% of American children, and is associated with metabolic, cardiovascular, and neurocognitive sequelae. The primary treatment for pediatric OSA is adenotonsillectomy. Children with obesity, craniofacial syndromes, and severe baseline OSA are at risk for persistent disease. Evaluation of persistent OSA should focus on identifying the causes of upper airway obstruction. Interventions should be tailored to address the patient's symptomatology, sites of obstruction, and preference for surgical versus medical management. Further research is needed to identify management protocols that result in improved outcomes for children with persistent OSA.

Keywords: DISE; Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea; Persistent OSA; Tongue base obstruction.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenoidectomy
  • Airway Obstruction / diagnosis*
  • Airway Obstruction / etiology
  • Airway Obstruction / surgery*
  • Child
  • Endoscopy
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Polysomnography
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / diagnosis*
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / etiology
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / surgery*
  • Tonsillectomy