An update on childhood snoring

[Guest guest]

Acta Paediatr. 2006 Sep;95(9):1029-35.

An update on childhood snoring.

Ng DK, Chow PY, Chan CH, Kwok KL, Cheung JM, Kong FY.

Department of Paediatrics, Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong, China.

Habitual snoring or daily snoring is a symptom of sleep-disordered

breathing (SDB) in children and it is reported in about 10% of

children. SDB includes primary snoring, upper airway resistance

syndrome (UARS), obstructive hypoventilation syndrome and obstructive

sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Classification of SDB in a particular

snoring child requires an overnight polysomnography (PSG). Manual

scoring of PSG is mandatory in children. Risk factors for SDB include

allergic rhinitis, passive smoking, obesity, dysmorphic syndromes and

neuromuscular disorders.

Conclusion: Treatment includes general measures like treatment of

allergic rhinitis, weight reduction in obese children, and avoidance

of sleep deprivation. Specific measures include removal of adenoid

and tonsils. Complications of SDB include neurocognitive impairment,

hypertension and failure to thrive.