Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Typical symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) include snoring, mouth breathing, and breathing pauses which interrupt a child's sleep and cause frequent awakenings. Other symptoms include bedwetting, fatigue during the day, hyperactivity, and poor school performance.

University of Chicago pediatricians diagnose OSA based on symptoms observed by the parent as well as a variety of diagnostic tests including exam of the patient, monitoring of breathing during sleep (sleep study), and X-rays to view the adenoids.

The most common treatment for OSA is the removal of the tonsils and adenoids. Young children, those with neurological abnormalities, and those with severe OSA are prone to postoperative complications and are usually observed in our step-down unit following surgery. At the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital, staff continue to monitor patients very closely so they can detect any respiratory problems and resolve them quickly. Our pediatric otolaryngologists work closely with sleep specialists from pediatric neurology and pediatric pulmonology to offer the best care for even the most complicated cases of OSA.