Josephine M. Cheung

An update on childhood snoring

Habitual snoring or daily snoring is a symptom of sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) in children and it is reported in about 10% of children. SDB includes primary snoring, upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS), obstructive hypoventilation syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Classification of SDB in a particular snoring child requires an overnight polysomnography (PSG). Manual scoring of PSG is mandatory in children. Risk factors for SDB include allergic rhinitis, passive smoking, obesity, dysmorphic syndromes and neuromuscular disorders. Conclusion: Treatment includes general measures like treatment of allergic rhinitis, weight reduction in obese children, and avoidance of sleep deprivation. Specific measures include removal of adenoid and tonsils. Complications of SDB include neurocognitive impairment, hypertension and failure to thrive.