Klara Mihelič
Klinika za otorinolaringologijo in cervikofacialno kirurgijo, Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Daša Gluvajić
Klinika za otorinolaringologijo in cervikofacialno kirurgijo, Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Abstract

Children under two years of age are prone to upper airway obstruction and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) due to anatomical and physiological characteristics. Prematurity, gastrooesophageal reflux, neuromuscular diseases, cranio-facial anomalies, and acquired and congenital airway diseases contribute to obstructive sleep-disordered breathing. The diagnosis of OSA is established by polysomnography, which also determines the severity of the condition. An otolaryngological examination with endoscopy, performed in both awake and sedated states during spontaneous breathing, can assess the site of upper airway obstruction. Treatment depends on the severity of OSA and the site of obstruction. In mild OSA, observation and conservative management are indicated, whereas moderate to severe OSA is an indication for surgical treatment, with the most common procedures being supraglottoplasty and adenoidectomy.

Key words: infant, apnoea, polysomnography, laryngomalacia, adenoidectomy