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Updated: Aug 5, 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

Upper airway dimensions in pediatric obstructive sleep-disordered breathing: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Floriane Remy1,2, Alexandre Gillot3

  • 1Pole of Pulmonology, ENT and Dermatology (LUNS), Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research (IREC), Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Brussels, Belgium. floriane.remy.ymd@gmail.com.

Sleep & Breathing = Schlaf & Atmung
|July 28, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (oSDB) is linked to smaller upper airway dimensions. Early adeno-/tonsillectomy is recommended to manage this condition by increasing nasopharyngeal space.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Otolaryngology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Pediatric obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (oSDB) affects children's health and development.
  • Understanding the anatomical basis of oSDB is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and analyze the association between upper airway dimensions and oSDB in children.
  • To synthesize evidence on anatomical differences in children with and without oSDB.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review and meta-analysis of 17 studies.
  • Included children up to 9 years old diagnosed with oSDB via polysomnography, mouth breathing, or snoring.
  • Assessed upper airway dimensions using various imaging techniques.

Main Results:

  • Children with oSDB exhibited reduced cross-sectional areas in the global airway, nasopharynx, and oropharynx.
  • Smaller minimum cross-sections and shorter anteroposterior dimensions of the upper pharynx were observed in oSDB patients.
  • Included studies generally had a low risk of bias.

Conclusions:

  • Findings support a link between reduced upper airway dimensions and pediatric oSDB.
  • Management should focus on enlarging the nasopharyngeal space.
  • Early adeno-/tonsillectomy is strongly supported as a primary treatment for pediatric oSDB.
Abstract

Keywords:
AirwaysChildren, Obstructive sleep-disordered breathingMouth breathingSleep apneaSnoring

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