Treatment alternatives for sleep-disordered breathing in the pediatric population.
PURPOSE FOR REVIEW: Childhood sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is associated with a myriad of health problems that underscore the need for early diagnosis and treatment. Children with SDB present with behavior problems, deficits of general intelligence, learning and memory deficits, evidence of brain neuronal injury, increased cardiovascular risk, and poor quality of life. Children are in a rapid state of cognitive development; therefore, alterations of health and brain function associated with SDB could permanently alter a child's social and economic potential, especially if the disorder is not recognized early in life or is treated inadequately.


RESULTS
There is evidence that the majority of the problems associated with SDB improve with treatment. Treatment strategies are now being aimed at mechanisms underlying the disorder. There are multiple treatment options available to children; some are novel, with pending treatments on the horizon that may replace age-old therapies such as adenotonsillectomy or nasal positive pressure.


CONCLUSIONS
It is imperative that healthcare workers actively seek out signs and symptoms of SDB in patients to improve early detection and treatment for prevention of long-term morbidity.
Halbower
Ann C
AC
Department of Pediatrics, Pulmonary Section, The Children's Hospital and University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA. Halbower.ann@tchden.org
McGinley
Brian M
BM
Smith
Philip L
PL
D000233:Adenoidectomy; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; D006801:Humans; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D014068:Tonsillectomy
D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists