Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a syndrome characterized by upper airway obstruction that impairs normal sleep patterns and ventilation. It is a common condition in pediatrics, with an increasing prevalence coinciding with rising rates of childhood obesity. Adenotonsillar hypertrophy, craniofacial abnormalities (eg, micrognathia), and neuromuscular disorders also pose a risk for OSA in the pediatric population.

Typical symptoms include snoring, respiratory pauses during sleep, daytime fatigue, headaches, behavioral disturbances, or neurocognitive impairment. Affected individuals are at risk for impaired growth, learning or behavioral problems, motor vehicle accidents (for patients old enough to drive), cardiovascular disease (eg, congestive heart failure), and perioperative anesthesia complications.

All patients should be screened for OSA with questionnaires asking about snoring and other typical symptoms. OSA is treatable either through modifiable lifestyle changes, breathing devices, or surgery and, if managed early and appropriately, many of the downstream sequelae can be avoided.