What are Indications for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)?

DiscussionObstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is defined as a “disorder of breathing during sleep characterized by prolonged partial upper airway obstruction and/or intermittent complete obstruction (obstructive apnea) that disrupts normal ventilation during sleep and normal sleep patterns.” It is different than primary snoring which is snoring without apnea, sleep arousals, or problems with gas exchange. OSAS symptoms include snoring (often with snorts, gasps or pauses), disturbed sleep (often frequent arousals) and daytime neurobehavioral problems. Sleepiness during the day can occur but is less common in children. Risk factors include black race, obesity, adenotonsillar hypertrophy, craniofacial abnormalities, neuromuscular disorders, or family history of disordered breathing. OSAS occurs in all ages and is most likely under diagnosed with a 2% prevalence rate. Primary snoring has a prevalence of 3-12%. Problems of untreated OSAS include failure to thrive, cor pulmonale including pulmonary and systemic hypertension, and cognitive and behavioral problems. The gold standard for diagnosis is overnight sleep study (polysomnography). In addition to lifestyle issues such as avoiding tobacco smoke, air pollutants and allergens and treatment of rhinitis and weight loss strategies in some patients, treatment of OSAS for children usually begins with tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy. While this can treat many patients, others still will have OSAS. Noninvasive ve...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news