During these years the rate of growth of the tonsils and adenoids can overwhelm the child?s relatively small upper airway with resulting obstruction during sleep. Occasionally this manifests as pauses in breathing (or obstructive sleep apnea of childhood), but more commonly the increased airway resistance results in obstructive hypoventilation without the occurrence of discrete apneas. The increased work of breathing results in poor quality sleep and a poorly rested child. The only way this can be diagnosed is with a special type of sensor known as an esophageal pressure monitor, which measures the work of breathing required to overcome upper airway resistance. Treatment is often achieved by removal of the tonsils and adenoids.

Newborn and Infant | Toddler and Pre-Schooler | Adolescents