Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Diagnostic Challenges and Management Strategies

Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent yet often underdiagnosed condition affecting 1-5% of children globally, with higher prevalence in populations such as those with Down syndrome and obesity. Characterized by recurrent upper airway obstruction during sleep, OSA can lead to serious health consequences, including neurocognitive deficits, behavioral issues, and cardiovascular complications. The diagnosis is complicated by symptom overlap with conditions like Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) while polysomnography (PSG) remains the gold standard for diagnosis, access to this test is limited in many regions. Treatment options include lifestyle modifications, surgical interventions like adenotonsillectomy, and non-invasive approaches such as upper airway stenting for patients who are non-compliant with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. Evidence indicates that adenotonsillectomy significantly reduces the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy, although residual OSA is common, particularly in high-risk populations like those with Prader-Willi syndrome. Recent studies have explored pharmacological treatments, advanced diagnostic techniques, and machine learning applications to improve outcomes. This review emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary, individualized approach to the management of pediatric OSA, highlighting the need for further research into innovative therapeutic strategies and long-term outcomes for affected children.