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Sleep-disordered breathing in children

C Guilleminault1, R Pelayo

  • 1Stanford Sleep Disorders Center, CA 94305, USA. pelayo@leland.stanford.edu

Annals of Medicine
|October 23, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Sleep-disordered breathing in children encompasses obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and upper airway resistance syndrome. Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent potential cardiovascular complications in affected children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) in children was first described in 1976.
  • Children may exhibit sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) without overt apneas, detectable via esophageal pressure measurements.
  • This led to the concept of SDB as a spectrum, including OSAS and upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the spectrum of sleep-disordered breathing in children.
  • To emphasize the potential misclassification of symptomatic patients as primary snorers in studies not considering the SDB spectrum.
  • To review the prevalence, symptoms, clinical signs, and consequences of SDB in pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and conceptual synthesis of existing studies on pediatric sleep-disordered breathing.
  • Discussion of diagnostic approaches, including esophageal pressure monitoring.
  • Analysis of familial predisposition, influence of nasal obstruction and mouth breathing on facial growth.

Main Results:

  • The prevalence of SDB in children may be as high as 11%.
  • Symptoms include behavioral issues, enuresis, and headaches; clinical signs involve failure to thrive and abnormal respiratory efforts.
  • Cardiovascular complications can arise if SDB remains untreated.

Conclusions:

  • Sleep-disordered breathing in children is a spectrum that requires comprehensive assessment.
  • Nasal obstruction and mouth breathing can exacerbate SDB and impact facial development.
  • Timely diagnosis and treatment, including positive airway pressure and surgery, are essential for favorable outcomes.

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