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Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood
08:20

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood

Published on: October 2, 2019

The snoring child

Iris Ambrosio Perez1, Sally L Davidson Ward

  • 1Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, 90027-6062, USA.

Pediatric Annals
|August 20, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Snoring in children can indicate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition with serious health risks. Early identification and treatment of pediatric OSA are crucial for preventing long-term complications.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Otolaryngology
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • Snoring is a common sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children, a spectrum of sleep-related breathing disorders.
  • Primary snoring in children may precede the development of OSA, necessitating ongoing symptom assessment.
  • OSA can lead to significant cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurocognitive issues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of obstructive sleep apnea in children.
  • To highlight the importance of recognizing OSA symptoms in pediatric primary snoring patients.
  • To discuss treatment strategies and associated risks for pediatric OSA.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea.
  • Discussion of diagnostic standards, including polysomnography.
  • Overview of surgical and non-surgical treatment modalities.

Main Results:

  • Adenotonsillar hypertrophy is the primary cause of pediatric OSA, with obesity as a growing factor.
  • Polysomnography is the gold standard for OSA diagnosis and surgical risk assessment.
  • Most pediatric OSA cases are treatable with adenotonsillectomy, but some require intensive care.

Conclusions:

  • Early detection and management of pediatric OSA are vital to mitigate health consequences.
  • Treatment options include adenotonsillectomy, other surgical interventions, and positive airway pressure (PAP).
  • Obesity-related OSA in children often necessitates continuous or bi-level positive airway pressure (CPAP/BPAP).

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