Impact of Adenotonsillectomy on Quality of Life in Children With Obstructive Sleep Disorders

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
THE TERM obstructive sleep disorders (OSDs) refers to the spectrum of sleep-disordered breathing that is severe enough to cause clinical symptoms. This includes children with upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS), in which the respiratory distress index is often normal on standard polysomnographic testing, and children with obstructive sleep apnea. The prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing in children is not exactly known but may approach 11%.1 The impact of OSDs on child functioning has been extensively documented. Children with OSDs may manifest an increase in total sleep time, nonspecific behavioral difficulties, hyperactivity, irritability, bed-wetting, and morning headaches. A more severe manifestation is failure to thrive, and, in general, untreated children are at risk for cardiovascular complications. Daytime sleepiness and obese body habitus, common features in adult sleep apnea, are frequently absent. The most common cause of OSDs in children is adenotonsillar hypertrophy, and adenotonsillectomy is a curative procedure in most cases.2-5

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: