Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in Thai children diagnosed by polysomnography.

Overnight polysomnography was conducted in 39 Thai children with clinically suspected obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) during the years 1994 to 1996. Eighty-five percent of these children met the polysomnographic criteria of pediatric OSAS, 42.4% among whom had severe OSAS. Male : female ratio of children with OSAS was 4.5:1. The peak age at the time of diagnosis was 3 to 4 years. The most common predisposing factor was adenoidal and tonsillar hypertrophy. Adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy was the most effective therapeutic option. Recovery of symptoms was observed following surgery and nasal continuous positive airway pressure.