Obstructive
sleep apnoea
syndrome is a type of
sleep-disordered breathing that
affects 1 to 5% of all
children. Pharyngeal and
palatine tonsil hypertrophy is the main
predisposing factor. Various
abnormalities are
predisposing factors for obstructive
sleep apnoea, such as decreased mandibular and maxillary lengths, skeletal retrusion, increased lower facial height and, consequently, increased total anterior facial height, a larger cranio-cervical angle, small posterior
airway space and an inferiorly positioned
hyoid bone. The
diagnosis is based on the clinical
history, a
physical examination and tests confirming the presence and severity of upper
airway obstruction. The
gold standard test for
diagnosis is overnight
polysomnography.
Attention must be paid to identify the craniofacial characteristics. When necessary,
children should be referred to
orthodontists and/or
sleep medicine specialists for adequate
treatment in addition to undergoing an adenotonsillectomy.