ABSTRACT
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is part of a spectrum of sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBDs) characterized by episodic reductions (hypopnoeas) – or brief cessations (apnoeas) – in respiratory airflow during sleep. Simple or primary snoring (PS) is the mildest form of SRBD, with OSA as the most severe manifestation. Nocturnal apnoeas in children may be due to a variety of aetiologies, including malfunction of the respiratory centre in the brain stem and reduced respiratory drive, but the defining
characteristic of obstructive sleep apnoea is that reduction of airflow occurs despite normal or even increased respiratory effort.
