REVIEWS   

Otorinolaringologia 2003 March;53(1):19-25

Copyright © 2009 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in children. Clinical evaluation

Eibenstein A., Chiti Batelli S., Fioretti A. B., Lena C., Fusetti M.

Insegnamento di Otorinolaringoiatria Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche Università degli Studi dell’Aquila, L’Aquila

Although a common condition, the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) remains frequently undiagnosed in the adult population and poorly recognized in children. Hypertrophy of adenotonsillar tissues is responsible of the majority of OSAS and primary snoring in children. The clinical evaluation cannot accurately predict the presence and degree of the obstructive episodes; nevertheless, a careful history obtained by the parents can guide the physician to further investigate his or her clinical suspect of sleep disordered breathing (SDB). An early diagnosis is crucial for both treating the disorder and to prevent the potential complications of OSAS.