The Syndrome of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, as investigated in children, has shown differences and peculiarities in comparison to the adult type. Apneas during sleep in children (like in adults) constitute a medical problem of increasing severity and importance. In children, the syndrome is mainly characterized by partial obstruction of the upper airways during sleep (obstructive hypoventilation), and rarely by apneas. The study of breathing during sleep (polysomnography) has expanded to include child patients and contributes significantly to the diagnosis of Sleep Apnea. Syndrome diagnosis in children is performed on the basis of these specific laboratory tests, so that diagnosis is documented with maximum possible certainty. The polysomnogram is the main examination for identifying and documenting diagnosis in children, for assessing syndrome severity and for differentially diagnosing between obstructive and central sleep apnea. Syndrome pathologic values (diagnostic criteria) at the polysomnogram in children are: AI > 1, AHI > 5, PCO2 50mmHg > 10% of sleeping time, PCO2 45mmHg > 60% of sleeping time and low Hb saturation SaO2 < 95%. Treatment includes different therapeutic devices, ventilators, such as CPAP and BiPAP, which can be used in children of all ages. In conclusion, Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a syndrome with specific features in children. Clinicians should be aware of it to ensure its early diagnosis, detailed laboratory screening should be performed when there is suspicion or signs of the syndrome and its treatment should be immediate in order to avoid side effects on child growth.
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