Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in children

Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) has a high prevalence in the general population. Risk factors are adenotonsillar hyperplasia, preterm birth, obesity, and craniofacial dysmorphia. A special feature of pediatric OSAS is that it can manifest in behavioral problems. These patients also have an increased risk of perioperative anesthesiologic complications. Diagnostic and therapeutic options should be defined individually using the "Snoring in childhood" algorithm of the German Sleep Research and Sleep Medicine Society (DGSM). Diagnosis based on polysomnography (PSG) is reserved for specialized pediatric sleep centers. The most common surgical treatment for pediatric OSAS is adenoidectomy with tonsillotomy. Positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy in children is only indicated in individual cases. Monitoring of treatment success is important after OSAS therapy.