2016 Volume 26 Issue 1 Pages 65-70
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children presents with pathological and clinical manifestations different from those of adult OSA, and adversely affects the higher brain function and development of affected children. Unless they are treated appropriately, they often exhibit delayed development, poor academic performance, attention deficit, hyperactivity, aggressive behavior, etc. The primary cause of pediatric OSA is enlarged pharyngeal tonsils (adenoids) and/or enlarged palatine tonsils; other causes include maxillofacial malformation and allergic rhinitis. Various factors, including obesity, are also involved in the development of OSA after children enter elementary school. Although no treatment has been established as the standard of care for pediatric OSA, the removal of adenoids and palatine tonsils is recommended as the first-line treatment. Between January 2007 and March 2014, we treated 71 children who visited our hospital with chief complaints of snoring, sleep apnea, etc., and performed surgical treatment in 63 of them. Among them, three children aged 3 years or less had a relapse of symptoms, and we provided additional treatment. Since OSA in childhood presents with various symptoms according to the child’s age, we need to diagnose and treat it appropriately. Here, we report upper airway findings, sleep assessments, and therapeutic approaches, with a review of the literature.
