Sleep-related upper-airway obstruction in children and adolescents

Childhood obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and upper-airway resistance syndrome may cause sleep disruption, leading to a variety of secondary nighttime and daytime symptoms. School-aged children and teenagers may present with one or several secondary symptoms (e.g., frequent nighttime waking, excessive daytime somnolence) with parents often unaware of their relationship to sleep-related upper-airway obstruction. Preschool children with OSAS may exhibit daytime behavior problems, again with parents unaware of the link with nighttime breathing difficulties. A working knowledge of the many manifestations of childhood OSAS can be invaluable in the approach to a variety of sleep and behavioral problems.