Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026
07:54
Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Published on: December 6, 2016
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in childhood
Luigi Nespoli1, Alberto Caprioglio, Luigia Brunetti
1School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.
Early Human Development
|September 3, 2013
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is common in children, affecting 1-2% of preschoolers. Prompt diagnosis and a multidisciplinary approach are crucial to prevent serious health issues.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Sleep Medicine
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a sleep-disordered breathing condition.
- Characterized by upper airway obstruction, it disrupts ventilation and sleep patterns.
- Prevalence in preschool children is 1-2%, often linked to enlarged adenoids and tonsils.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define OSAS and its impact on children.
- To highlight diagnostic methods and associated morbidities.
- To discuss current therapeutic interventions and the role of obesity.
Main Methods:
- Diagnosis relies on polysomnography, though clinical signs like snoring and facial appearance are suggestive.
- Associated morbidities include cardiovascular, neurocognitive, growth, and metabolic issues.
- Obesity is a significant factor, complicating treatment and contributing to adult-type OSAS in children.
Main Results:
- Adenotonsillectomy is curative in approximately two-thirds of pediatric OSAS cases.
- Orthodontic approaches and orofacial physiotherapy offer benefits to many patients.
- OSAS is a prevalent condition with significant multisystem implications.
Conclusions:
- Prompt diagnosis of pediatric OSAS is essential to prevent multisystem morbidities.
- A multidisciplinary approach is recommended for managing affected children and their families.
- Increased obesity rates contribute to the rising incidence of OSAS in children.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops intermittently during sleep, often leading to significant health issues. Each episode can last from 10 to 20 seconds or more and is frequently accompanied by a brief arousal from sleep. This disturbance, largely unnoticed by the individual, can lead to severe daytime fatigue. Commonly, individuals seek help after being informed by their partners about loud snoring and noticeable breathing pauses during sleep.
The condition is more prevalent among...
The condition is more prevalent among...
01:17Other Pulmonary Disorders
Respiratory disorders encompass a range of conditions with varying levels of severity. Asthma, marked by chronic airway inflammation and hypersensitivity, is one such condition. It can lead to airway obstruction due to factors like bronchial spasms, mucosal edema, increased mucus secretion, or epithelial damage. Asthma triggers are diverse, ranging from allergens to emotional upset, and treatment focuses on both immediate relief through bronchodilators and long-term inflammation suppression.
01:24Sleep-Wake Cycles
Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
01:24Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features
Chronic bronchitis is a key phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airway-centered inflammation and mucus overproduction. It develops from long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases, most commonly cigarette smoke, which triggers a persistent inflammatory response.Cellular and Structural ChangesInflammation initially affects the large bronchi and later the smaller airways, with infiltration by immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and...
01:30Oppositional Defiant Disorder
A persistent pattern of angry or irritable mood, defiant behavior, or vindictiveness characterizes Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Symptoms must occur over at least six months, involve interactions with individuals beyond siblings, and meet specific diagnostic criteria to be clinically significant. The disorder affects emotional regulation, social interactions, and behavior, often manifesting early in life and influencing long-term development and functioning.
Diagnostic Criteria and...
Diagnostic Criteria and...
01:18Nightmares and Night Terrors
Nightmares and night terrors represent two distinct types of sleep disturbances that differ in timing, characteristics, and the sleeper's recall of the event. Nightmares are vivid, disturbing dreams that usually awaken the sleeper from REM sleep, a stage of sleep where brain activity is high, and dreams are most frequent. Upon awakening, individuals often have detailed recollections of their nightmares, which can include themes of threats to survival, security, or self-esteem.
Nightmares often...
Nightmares often...