Chronic snoring and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in children.

Increased upper airway resistance during sleep may lead to heavy snoring and/or obstructive sleep apnea in infants and children. Clinical symptoms will be seen with increased upper airway resistance during sleep, even without obstructive sleep apnea or significant oxygen saturation drop. It may be responsible for apparent life threatening events (ALTE). Mild cranio-facial morphometric changes are often associated with increased upper airway resistance during sleep, and there is a continuous interaction between airway patency during sleep and maxillo-mandibular growth. Nasal CPAP can be as much a diagnostic tool as a treatment procedure. Orthodontic and surgical approaches may also be combined in the treatment of this significant health problem.