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Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
07:54

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Published on: December 6, 2016

Pediatric sleep apnea: early onset of the 'syndrome'?

Lucia Spicuzza1, Salvatore Leonardi, Mario La Rosa

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Bronchopneumology O.U., University of Catania, Catania, Italy. luciaspicuzza@tiscali.it

Sleep Medicine Reviews
|December 9, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Childhood obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and primary snoring can cause serious health issues beyond neurocognitive problems. Early detection of systemic complications like autonomic imbalance and inflammation is crucial for children's health.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • Childhood obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) prevalence is rising, linked to increased obesity.
  • Systemic effects of upper airway obstruction in children are increasingly understood, mirroring adult findings.
  • Neurocognitive and behavioral issues in pediatric OSA are well-documented.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review early systemic complications of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and primary snoring in infants and children.
  • To highlight the impact of sleep-disordered breathing on children's overall health.
  • To emphasize the need for recognizing broader health implications beyond behavioral changes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on recent research in pediatric sleep-disordered breathing.
  • Analysis of studies investigating systemic effects of OSA and primary snoring.
  • Synthesis of findings on cardiovascular, metabolic, and autonomic functions in affected children.

Main Results:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) induces autonomic imbalance, affecting blood pressure, cerebral blood flow, and cardiac function early on.
  • OSA may lead to chronic systemic inflammation and contribute to metabolic syndrome in obese children.
  • Primary snoring, a milder form of sleep-disordered breathing, is also associated with childhood morbidity.

Conclusions:

  • Sleep-disordered breathing in children has significant systemic health implications, not just behavioral or performance impacts.
  • Early systemic complications of OSA and primary snoring require attention in pediatric populations.
  • Understanding these early effects is vital for timely intervention and improved long-term health outcomes in children.

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