Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Weight Abnormalities in Children

Obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (OSDB) is a spectrum of entities with variable severity ranging from primary snoring to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA is usually considered to be the most severe disorder of the OSDB spectrum. Children with OSA experience partial or complete obstruction of the upper airways during sleep, which may result in arousals and/or awakenings from sleep. Polysomographic findings frequently include snoring, significant changes in airflow associated with frequent electroencephalographic (EEG) arousals and awakenings from sleep, periodic changes in oxygen saturation level, and elevation of carbon dioxide level. Obstructive and partially obstructive events (obstructive apneas and obstructive hypopneas, respectively) are frequently associated with an increase in respiratory effort registered by chest and abdominal belts as well as intercostal electromyogram (EMG).