Rapid Maxillary Expansion in Pediatric Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Current and Future Perspectives

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a chronic disease, characterized by progressively increasing upper airway resistance, with a variable range of symptoms, and high morbidity and mortality rates [1]. About 3% to 10% of children have OSAS, which is defined as an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) greater than one event per hour in polysomnographic (PSG) findings [2]. Enlarged tonsils and adenoids may give rise to this upper airway resistance, thereby contributing towards imbalance between structural and neurological factors and leading to airway collapse [3].

Source: Sleep Medicine - June 26, 2018 Category: Sleep Medicine Authors: Almiro J. Machado, Agr ício N. Crespo, Henrique F. Pauna Source Type: research