The main causes and consequences of sleep disorders of breathing in children

*Teresa Jackowska^1,2, Alicja Sapała-Smoczyńska², Joanna Anyszka^1,2, Jacek Grygalewicz¹

Summary
Sleep disorders of breathing (SDB) have an adverse influence on the intellectual or physical development and the emotional state among children. The SDB occurs in the form of obturative sleep apneas (OSA) or obturative sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in about 1-3% of children, mostly in the preschool and school age. The main causes of SDBs and sleep disruption among children are adenotonsillar hypertrophy and obesity. The consequences of the OSAs are daytime sleepiness, change in behavior, inattention and cognitive deficits, and poor quality of life. The most serious complications of the OSAS are cardio-vascular disturbances: systemic and pulmonary hypertension. Delayed diagnosis and late proper treatment may lead to a permanent reduction of cognitive function and education potential.
The all-night (overnight) complete polysomnography is the gold standard for identification and differentiation of sleep disorders of breathing in children and adults. It advances diagnostic proceedings and initiation of treatment and can reduce costs of care.

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