Pediatric Sleep Apnea
Learn about treatment
and procedures for
Pediatric Obstructive
Sleep Apnea (OSA)
What is Pediatric Sleep Apnea?
Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a condition where a child’s breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep due to a blockage or narrowing of the airway. It affects an estimated 1–5% of children and, if untreated, can lead to poor growth, behavioral problems, and heart issues.
What Causes Sleep Apnea in Children
The most common cause is enlarged tonsils and adenoids, but other contributing factors include:
- Obesity
- Craniofacial anomalies (e.g., Down syndrome, Pierre Robin sequence)
- Neuromuscular disorders
- Nasal obstruction or deviated septum
- Laryngomalacia or tracheomalacia
- Subglottic or tracheal stenosis
Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea in Children
Pediatric sleep apnea often goes unnoticed. Look for signs like:
During Sleep
- Loud snoring or gasping
- Long pauses in breathing
- Restless sleep or frequent waking
- Mouth breathing
- Night sweats
During the Day
- Morning headaches
- Trouble waking up
- Behavioral issues or hyperactivity (often mistaken for ADHD)
- Poor school performance
- Daytime fatigue or falling asleep in class
How is Pediatric Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?
Diagnosis begins with a detailed history and physical exam. Your ENT may recommend:
Polysomnography (Sleep Study)
- Gold standard test performed overnight in a sleep lab
- Measures breathing patterns, oxygen levels, heart rate, and brain waves
Endoscopic Airway Evaluation
- Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) may be used to assess dynamic airway collapse
- Identifies multi-level obstruction and helps guide surgical planning
Treatment Options for Pediatric Sleep Apnea
Treatment depends on the severity and the cause of the obstruction. Our goal is to restore restful sleep and improve long-term health.
Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy (T&A)
- First-line treatment for most children with enlarged tonsils and adenoids
- Often leads to dramatic improvement in symptoms
Weight Management & Medical Therapy
- For children with obesity-related OSA
- Nasal steroid sprays or allergy medications may help reduce inflammation
- Behavioral support for lifestyle changes
CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)
- Non-surgical option for moderate to severe OSA
- Worn at night to keep the airway open
- Often used if surgery isn’t an option or OSA persists post-surgery
Advanced Airway Surgery
For children with complex anatomy or persistent OSA after tonsil/adenoid removal:
- Supraglottoplasty for laryngomalacia
- Septoplasty and turbinate reduction for nasal obstruction
- Tongue base reduction or lingual tonsillectomy
- Mandibular distraction for craniofacial anomalies
- Tracheostomy (rare, only in severe airway obstruction)
Why Sleep Apnea Shouldn’t Be Ignored
If left untreated, pediatric OSA can lead to:
- Learning and behavioral problems
- Poor growth or failure to thrive
- Cardiovascular issues (high blood pressure, heart strain)
- Long-term sleep and mood disturbances
Why Choose Us for Pediatric Sleep Apnea Care
Dr. Sohit Kanotra and the team at UCLA are national leaders in pediatric sleep apnea treatment. We provide:
- Expertise in both simple and complex cases of pediatric OSA
- In-office and operative diagnostic techniques including:
- DISE
– Minimally invasive and open airway surgeries tailored to your child
– Coordinated care with sleep specialists, pulmonologists, and nutritionists
- DISE