OSAS in children: correlation between endoscopic and polysomnographic findings.

OBJECTIVES

To correlate polysomnographic findings with clinical history of apnea, the degree of obstruction caused by tonsillar hypertrophy, and to age group.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

267 children with a clinical diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSAS) were evaluated. Patients were divided into preschool- and school-age categories, and subdivided in 3 additional groups, according to tonsillar hypertrophy. Polysomnographic findings were compared within groups.

RESULTS

34% of children had history of OSAS and normal polysomnographic findings. Tonsillar hypertrophy was correlated to more severe apnea among preschool-age children, but not among school-age children. Among children with tonsillar hypertrophy, more severe apnea was observed in preschool-age children than in school-age children.

CONCLUSIONS

There is little correlation between polysomnographic and clinical findings in children with OSAS.

SIGNIFICANCE

Adenotonsillar hypertrophy leads to more severe polysomnographic patterns in preschool-age children. More severe apnea is observed in younger children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy than in older ones.