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Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in Children

By

Kingman P. Strohl

, MD, Case School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University

Reviewed/Revised Oct 2022
View PATIENT EDUCATION

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is episodes of partial or complete closure of the upper airway that occur during sleep and lead to breathing cessation. Symptoms include snoring and sometimes restless sleep, nocturnal sweating, morning headache, and problems concentrating. Complications of OSA may include learning or behavioral disturbances, growth disturbance, cor pulmonale, and pulmonary hypertension. Diagnosis is by polysomnography. Treatment is usually adenotonsillectomy.

The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in children is about 2%. The condition is underdiagnosed and can lead to serious sequelae.

Etiology of OSA in Children

Risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea in children include the following:

Symptoms and Signs of OSA in Children

In most children with OSA, parents note snoring; however, snoring may not be reported even when OSA is severe. Other sleep symptoms may include restless sleep, sweating at night, and observed apnea. Children may have nocturnal enuresis Enuresis Urinary incontinence is defined as involuntary voiding of urine ≥ 2 times/month during the day or night; the incontinence may be intermittent or continuous. Revised terminology for the time... read more .

Daytime signs and symptoms may include nasal obstruction, mouth breathing, morning headache, problems concentrating, and hyperactivity (ie, as a manifestation of sleepiness). Waketime sleepiness is less common than among adults with OSA Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) consists of multiple episodes of partial or complete closure of the upper airway that occur during sleep and lead to breathing cessation (defined as a period of... read more .

Pearls & Pitfalls

  • Waketime sleepiness is less common in children with obstructive sleep apnea than among adults

Examination may reveal no abnormalities or may show anatomic facial, nasal, or oral abnormalities contributing to obstruction, increase in the pulmonic component of the 2nd heart sound, or growth disturbance.

Diagnosis of OSA in Children

  • Child-friendly polysomnography with oximetry and end-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring

Obstructive sleep apnea is considered in children with snoring or risk factors (1 Diagnosis reference Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is episodes of partial or complete closure of the upper airway that occur during sleep and lead to breathing cessation. Symptoms include snoring and sometimes restless... read more ). If symptoms of OSA are present, diagnostic testing is done in a sleep laboratory using overnight polysomnography Testing that includes oximetry and end-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring. Polysomnographic criteria for diagnosis (apnea-hypopnea index > 2 per hour) is lower than for adults. Home polysomnography is being used more frequently, but the failure rate is high.

Polysomnography confirms the diagnosis of OSA, but diagnosis also requires that the child not have a cardiac or pulmonary disorder that could explain the polysomnographic abnormalities. Analysis of sleep stage and the effects of position during polysomnography can help indicate the contribution of upper airway obstruction. Thus, results of polysomnography can help determine initial treatment (eg, tonsillectomy, continuous positive airway pressure [CPAP]).

Patients with OSA are evaluated with other tests based on clinical suspicion of comorbidities. Other testing may include ECG, chest x-ray, arterial blood gas measurement, and imaging of the upper airway or flexible nasopharyngoscopy.

Diagnosis reference

  • 1. Gulotta G, Iannella G, Vicini C, et al: Risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in children: state of the art. Int J Environ Res Public Health 16(18):3235, 2019. doi:10.3390/ijerph16183235

Treatment of OSA in Children

  • Adenotonsillectomy or correction of congenital micrognathia

  • CPAP and/or weight loss with intensive support

Adenotonsillectomy is usually effective in children with obstructive sleep apnea who are otherwise healthy and have enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids. Adenoidectomy alone is often ineffective. The risk of perioperative airway obstruction is higher among children with OSA than among children without OSA who undergo adenotonsillectomy; thus, close monitoring is important.

For children who are not otherwise healthy, who have complex anatomic abnormalities or genetic conditions altering respiratory control, or who have cardiopulmonary complications, a physician experienced in management of OSA in children should be consulted. Adenotonsillectomy may be effective or may provide some relief (1 Treatment reference Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is episodes of partial or complete closure of the upper airway that occur during sleep and lead to breathing cessation. Symptoms include snoring and sometimes restless... read more ). Depending on the anatomic abnormality causing OSA, an alternate surgical procedure may be indicated (eg, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty Surgery , tongue or midface surgeries).

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can be used for children who are not candidates for corrective surgery or who continue to have OSA after adenotonsillectomy.

Because obesity in children is a risk factor for OSA, weight loss can decrease OSA severity in children with obesity and has other health benefits but is rarely sufficient treatment for OSA as monotherapy in the long term.

Nocturnal oxygen supplementation may help prevent hypoxemia until definitive treatment can be accomplished.

Treatment of allergic rhinitis should be intensive. Corticosteroids and antibiotics are not usually indicated.

Treatment reference

  • 1. Bitners AC, Arens R: Evaluation and management of children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Lung 198(2):257-270, 2020. doi:10.1007/s00408-020-00342-5

Key Points

  • Risk factors for childhood obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) include obesity, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, anatomic (including craniofacial) abnormalities, genetic abnormalities, drugs, and disorders causing hypertonia or hypotonia.

  • Problems with learning and behavior are potentially serious complications.

  • Diagnose childhood OSA based on caregiver-confirmed symptoms and the results of polysomnography.

  • Correct anatomic causes of obstruction (eg, by adenotonsillectomy or correction of micrognathia).

  • Consider continuous positive airway pressure and/or weight loss if surgery is not indicated or not completely effective.

More Information

The following English-language resources may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of these resources.

  • Bitners AC, Arens R: Evaluation and management of children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Lung 198(2):257-270, 2020. doi:10.1007/s00408-020-00342-5

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