title: Treatment Options for Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
abstract: There are a variety of therapies available for the treatment of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). In children with enlarged adenoids or tonsils, adenotonsillectomy (AT) is the preferred treatment, but other surgical options include partial tonsillectomy and lingual tonsillectomy. In specific populations, craniofacial or bariatric surgery may be indicated, and tracheostomy should be reserved for cases where there is no other therapeutic option. Positive airway pressure (PAP) is the most effective non-surgical therapy for OSAS as it can be successfully used in even cases of severe OSAS. Nasal steroids and leukotriene receptor antagonists may be used in the treatment of mild or moderate OSAS. Rapid maxillary expansion and dental appliances may be effective in select populations with dental problems. Other non-surgical therapies, such as positional therapy, supplemental oxygen, and weight loss have not been shown to be effective in most pediatric populations.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary Medicine, The Children׳s Hospital of Philadelphia.
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Cielo
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Louisiana State University Shreveport. Electronic address: agungo@lsuhsc.edu.
authors.forename: Anil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gungor
mesh_terms: D000233:Adenoidectomy; D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000293:Adolescent; D050110:Bariatric Surgery; D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D014139:Tracheostomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists