Diagnosis And Treatment Of Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea

OSA in children is a frequent disease with a 1-4% prevalence rate. It imposes significant morbidity, causing neurobehavioral, cardiovascular and endocrine complications. The impairment of nasal breathing with increased nasal resistance has a well documented negative impact on early childhood maxilla mandibular development making the upper airway smaller and might lead to adult OSA after puberty. Early recognition and prevention of OSA in children is important in order to prevent, or at least minimize, further complications such as neurocognitive, psychologic and facial permanent deformities in adult life. The role of the dentist is essential in diagnosing and referring patients for further evaluation in a sleep laboratory and by an ENT physician.