Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children

There are several different methods for treating children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but which one is most appropriate will often depend on the severity of the condition.  Experts at the Pediatric Sleep Disorder Center will review each patient’s sleep study results, medical history and upper airway structure before making a treatment recommendation.

The goal of care in most cases is to prevent obstructions from occurring by widening the airway. Our center accomplishes this though:

• Weight loss – For overweight people with mild cases of OSA, diets and exercise may help alleviate symptoms.
• Surgical referral – Surgical procedures, such as a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy may be helpful for many children.
• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure – CPAP, which is the most effective way to treat OSA, uses pressurized air to keep the airway open. This type of therapy requires the patient to sleep with a mask or tubing under the nose connected to an electrical machine that pressurizes the air in the room.
• Bilevel PAP – While CPAP delivers air under constant pressure, Bilevel PAP provides air with varying pressure levels during inhalation and exhalation, improving comfort and tolerance. This is the preferred initial treatment for some patients.

As part of Atlantic Health System Children’s Health, physician services are provided through Atlantic Medical Group and are on staff at Goryeb Children’s Hospital.