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Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
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Published on: December 6, 2016

Interventions for obstructive sleep apnea in children: a systematic review

Stefan Kuhle1, Michael S Urschitz, Steffen Eitner

  • 1School of Public Health, 650 University Terrace, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2T4. stefan.kuhle@ualberta.ca

Sleep Medicine Reviews
|December 9, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Limited research supports treatments for childhood obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). More studies are needed to establish effective interventions for this common condition in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Otolaryngology
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects about 3% of children, presenting with snoring, breathing issues, and sleep hypoxia.
  • Key symptoms include habitual snoring, heavy breathing, sleep-related hypoxia, and arousals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of various medical, behavioral, mechanical, and surgical treatments for pediatric OSA.
  • This review aims to synthesize evidence on interventions for children diagnosed with OSA.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive literature search was conducted across databases, conference proceedings, and trial registers.
  • Included were randomized controlled trials of interventions for children with objectively diagnosed OSA (AHI/RDI ≥ 1/h).

Main Results:

  • Out of 1690 studies, five trials examined seven interventions: intranasal steroids, adenotonsillectomy, maxillary distraction, radiofrequency ablation, oral appliances, and positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy.
  • Intranasal steroids improved apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). Adenotonsillectomy and radiofrequency ablation showed similar efficacy in reducing respiratory disturbance index (RDI).
  • Continuous and bilevel PAP therapy were equally effective in reducing AHI; evidence for oral appliances was insufficient.

Conclusions:

  • Current evidence supporting the efficacy of many obstructive sleep apnea treatments in children is limited.
  • Further research is essential to guide clinical recommendations for managing pediatric OSA.
Abstract

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