Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 7, 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

Obstructive sleep apnea in infancy: a 7-year experience at a pediatric sleep center

Sriram Ramgopal1, Sanjeev V Kothare, Mandeep Rana

  • 1Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

Pediatric Pulmonology
|September 17, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Polysomnography (PSG) is a valuable tool for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in infants, revealing common indications like snoring and comorbidities such as reflux. Interventions often lead to symptom resolution, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Neonatology
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in infants presents unique challenges compared to older children.
  • Understanding the specific indications, comorbidities, and outcomes of infant OSA is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the common reasons for polysomnography (PSG) in infants with suspected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
  • To identify associated comorbidities, evaluation strategies, treatment options, and outcomes in infants diagnosed with OSA via PSG.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective chart review was conducted over a 7-year period.
  • Infants diagnosed with OSA (Apnea-Hypopnea Index ≥ 1/hr) by PSG were included.

Main Results:

  • 97 infants were diagnosed with OSA; common indications included excessive snoring (53%) and nocturnal desaturations (24%).
  • Frequent comorbidities were gastro-esophageal reflux (30%), laryngomalacia (24%), and genetic abnormalities (53%, including Trisomy 21).
  • Interventions, including surgery (36%) and oxygen therapy (15%), led to symptom resolution in a majority of followed patients.

Conclusions:

  • Infant OSA etiologies differ from those in older children.
  • PSG is a feasible and valuable diagnostic tool for infant OSA, guiding timely interventions.
  • Medical and/or surgical interventions resulted in clinical improvement and resolution of PSG parameters, though long-term neurocognitive outcomes require further study.
Abstract

Keywords:
infant sleep apneainfantsobstructive sleep apneapolysomnographysleep apnea

Related Concept Videos

Sleep Apnea01:21

Sleep 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...
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management01:22

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management

Airway management is a key skill in emergency and critical care settings, as maintaining a clear airway is essential for adequate oxygenation and ventilation.Head Tilt-Chin Lift TechniqueThe head tilt-chin lift maneuver is an essential technique primarily used in patients without suspected cervical spine injuries. To perform this maneuver, one hand is placed on the patient’s forehead, and gentle pressure is applied backward to tilt the head. The fingertips of the other hand are positioned under...
Pyloric Obstruction01:11

Pyloric Obstruction

Pyloric obstruction, also referred to as gastric outlet obstruction, is a condition characterized by narrowing or blockage at the pylorus—the muscular valve regulating the flow of stomach contents into the duodenum. When this passage becomes impaired, the stomach cannot effectively empty its contents into the small intestine. This disruption leads to a range of gastrointestinal symptoms, including early satiety, bloating, epigastric pain, postprandial nausea, persistent vomiting, and...
Other Pulmonary Disorders01:17

Other 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.
Nightmares and Night Terrors01:18

Nightmares 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...