pulmonary disorders
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in Children
Diagnosis of OSA in Children
Child-friendly polysomnography with oximetry and end-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring Obstructive sleep apnea is considered in children with snoring or risk factors ( Diagnosis reference ). If symptoms of OSA are present, diagnostic testing is done in a sleep laboratory using overnight Polysomnography confirms the diagnosis of OSA, but diagnosis also requires that the child not have a cardiac or pulmonary disorder that could explain the polysomnographic abnormalities. Analysis of sleep stage and the effects of position during polysomnography can help indicate the contribution of upper airway obstruction. Thus, results of polysomnography can help determine initial treatment (eg, tonsillectomy, continuous positive airway pressure [CPAP]). Patients with OSA are evaluated with other tests based on clinical suspicion of comorbidities. Other testing may include ECG, chest x-ray, arterial blood gas measurement, and imaging of the upper airway or flexible nasopharyngoscopy. 1.Gulotta G, Iannella G, Vicini C, et al: Risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in children: state of the art.Int J Environ Res Public Health16(18):3235, 2019. doi:10.3390/ijerph16183235 