Research Topic · Peer-Reviewed

Sleep Apnea Children

Pediatric sleep apnea is a sleep-related breathing disorder in which a child experiences repeated pauses or marked reductions in airflow during sleep, most commonly the obstructive form caused by partial or complete collapse of the upper airway. In children the leading anatomical contributor is adenotonsillar hypert…

Curated from this journal's research 📚 8 peer-reviewed articles cited Cited 38× across the literature 🔖 ISSN 2574-4518 🗓 Reviewed July 2026

Overview

Pediatric sleep apnea is a sleep-related breathing disorder in which a child experiences repeated pauses or marked reductions in airflow during sleep, most commonly the obstructive form caused by partial or complete collapse of the upper airway. In children the leading anatomical contributor is adenotonsillar hypertrophy, though craniofacial structure, neuromuscular tone, and reduced upper-airway patency also play substantial roles. Conditions that alter craniofacial morphology or muscle tone, such as Down syndrome, markedly elevate prevalence, and connective-tissue and neuromuscular disorders can similarly predispose children to disordered breathing during sleep. Recurrent obstruction produces intermittent hypoxemia, sleep fragmentation, and increased work of breathing, which in the pediatric population manifest as habitual snoring, restless sleep, mouth breathing, and daytime behavioral or attentional disturbance rather than the daytime somnolence typical of adults. Diagnosis relies on objective measurement of sleep architecture and respiratory events through polysomnography, complemented by clinical screening for risk factors. Untreated disease is associated with neurocognitive, cardiovascular, and metabolic consequences. Management is directed at the underlying obstruction and may include surgical removal of obstructing tissue, positive-airway-pressure support, and treatment of contributing comorbidities. Distinguishing obstructive apnea from other pediatric sleep disorders, including narcolepsy, is essential for appropriate care.

Research published in this journal

8 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.

How this research is being cited

The 8 articles above have been cited 38 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.

A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Sleep Apnea Children, linking to each citing work.

Editorial oversight

Curated from peer-reviewed research published in Sleep And Sleep Disorder Research (ISSN 2574-4518).

Journal editorial board
Dragos Octavian Palade · Romania Mauro Manconi · Switzerland Karim Sedky · United States

This page summarises published research for orientation; it is not medical or professional advice.