Sleep apnea in mandibular hypoplasia.
Obstructive sleep apnea is an insidious and potentially life-threatening disorder that is probably more prevalent than has been previously diagnosed. Since there is generally some mechanism for relief of the respiratory obstruction, this is a very successfully treatable disorder. A strong index of suspicion should be held in cases of oronasal or pharyngeal abnormalities with a potential for respiratory obstruction. Loud snoring (particularly a recent change) and daytime hypersomnolence should alert us. In-hospital sleep monitoring and arterial gas measurements can provide a definitive diagnosis.
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014059:Tongue / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery