Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Children

Practice Gaps An estimated 1% to 5% of children have sleep-disordered breathing related to obstructive sleep apnea, with a smaller proportion of children having central or mixed sleep apnea. Improved screening for sleep-disordered breathing in the general pediatrics clinic, coupled with effective management strategies, has the potential to have wide-ranging benefits on the patient's long-term health and development. Objectives After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Recognize the signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea in pediatric and adolescent patients. 2. Understand the role of in-laboratory sleep studies in the evaluation of pediatric patients with suspected sleep-disordered breathing. 3. Weigh the indications, benefits, and risks of various therapies for obstructive sleep apnea. 4. Have a general understanding of, and maintain an appropriate index of suspicion for, comorbid central sleep apnea when a patient presents with signs of sleep-disordered breathing.