Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

The obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is now recognized as being common in children. Complications of OSAS can occur without proper diagnosis and expeditious treatment. Although adenotonsillar hyperplasia is the leading risk factor in children with OSAS, factors other than tonsillar size, such as neuromotor tone and craniofacial anatomy, play a role in the pathophysiology of this disease. OSAS causes a variety of daytime and nighttime symptoms in affected children. This chapter discusses the complications of OSAS in children, emphasizing the risks of delayed or missed diagnosis. It also discusses the complications of the surgical treatment of OSAS in children, with emphasis on defining the high-risk patient before surgery and suggestions for perioperative management to avoid complications.