Sleep Disordered Breathing in Children

The dentist's area of expertise may present with sleep disordered breathing (SDB) characteristics that they should be aware of to provide a timely referral and avoid these consequences. SDB can manifest with symptoms such as snoring, gasping, apneas, and restless sleep. Children spend more than half their lives sleeping. Based on physiologic measures and a polysomnograph, sleep can be divided into rapid eye movement sleep and non-rapid eye movement sleep. SDB encompasses all air intake insufficiencies during sleep. The most severe on this continuum is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA, the most severe form of SDB, is also prevalent in children, although to a lesser degree. Studies find that OSA occurs in 1.2-5% of the child population, many cases of which also remain undiagnosed. Certain physical and physiologic characteristics place a child at risk for having or developing SDB. Many patients with SDB present with a constricted maxilla and posterior crossbite.