title: Treatment of childhood obstructive sleep apnea.
abstract: An array of surgical, medical and orthodontic treatments is available for treating childhood obstructive sleep apnea. Adenotonsillectomy remains the first choice in treatment, with a need for subsequent clinical and polysomnographic reassessment in selected cases to determine residual sleep-disordered breathing. Residual obstructive sleep apnea is more likely in patients with craniofacial abnormalities or obesity. It may require the use of a positive airway pressure breathing device. Topical corticosteroids, leukotriene antagonists, weight reduction, and positional therapy also play a role in ameliorating childhood obstructive sleep apnea. The published evidence for the efficacy of various treatment modalities consists largely of case-controlled studies and case reports.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Neurology, Pediatrics and the Center for Sleep Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Ameet S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Daftary
authors.forename: Suresh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kotagal