Year in review of paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea

S3C – Sleep Disordered Breathing in Children
YEAR IN REVIEW OF PAEDIATRIC OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNOEA

Surendran Thavagnanam
The Royal London Hospital, London, United Kingdom

Paediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) remains a significant health concern due to its impact on children's cognitive, behavioural, and cardiovascular health. This review highlights the progress in personalised diagnostics for paediatric OSA, which aims to enhance accuracy, reduce the burden of traditional diagnostic methods, and provide early intervention. Innovations such as home sleep apnoea testing (HSAT) tailored for paediatric use, the development of age-specific scoring criteria for polysomnography, and the utilisation of wearable technologies have shown promise in improving diagnostic accessibility and precision. Treatment strategies continue to evolve, with a growing emphasis on individualised care that includes surgical interventions, such as adenotonsillectomy, and non-surgical approaches like continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, myofunctional therapy, and weight management. Emerging biomarkers, including inflammatory markers and genetic profiles, are being investigated for their potential to identify at-risk children and monitor disease progression. Additionally, advanced imaging techniques and machine learning algorithms are being integrated to refine diagnostic processes and predict outcomes more effectively. This review also addresses the importance of considering comorbidities, such as obesity and craniofacial abnormalities, in the diagnostic workup to ensure a comprehensive evaluation. The integration of these tailored diagnostic tools into clinical practice necessitates multidisciplinary collaboration integrating paediatricians, otolaryngologists, sleep specialists, and orthodontists to address the multifaceted nature of OSA. Overall, the tailored diagnostic approach in paediatric OSA represents a paradigm shift towards more personalised, efficient, and effective management of this condition, ultimately aiming to improve long-term health outcomes for affected children