Sleep medicine

Purpose of review: To reflect the recent advances in the field of pediatric sleep medicine. The pediatrician will be able to define which children to refer for a sleep study and what to expect from the sleep specialist in 2015. Recent findings: In the first study that compared adeno tonsillectomy (TA) to watchful waiting, TA reduced symptoms and improved children's behavior, quality of life, and polysomnographic results. Anti-inflammatory therapy for mild obstructive sleep apnea was effective and well tolerated according to a double-blind study. A retrospective study showed that it is beneficial for 80% of the patients. TA is associated with a decrease in asthma symptoms and medication utilization. Summary: Pediatricians need to be aware of the clear benefits of tonsillectomy (including better asthma control), although anti-inflammatory therapy may improve symptoms and polysomnographic findings in children with nonsevere obstructive sleep apnea.
Source: Current Opinion in Pediatrics - Category: Pediatrics Tags: PULMONOLOGY: Edited by David N. Cornfield Source Type: research