Obstructive sleep apnoea in children

Adenotonsillar hypertrophy, obesity, craniofacial anomalies and abnormal neuromotor tone are the main conditions predisposing to obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in childhood. Overnight polysomnography is the gold standard for diagnosis of the disorder. Sleep apnoeic children experience increased prevalence of enuresis, elevated blood pressure, excessive daytime sleepiness, hyperactivity, learning problems and neurocognitive dysfunction. Successful treatment of paediatric OSA requires a multifaceted approach which will address all the different conditions related to dysfunctional upper airway during sleep.