Upper airway resistance syndrome in children: A clinical review

Upper airway resistant syndrome (UARS) is more common in children than is obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Age will color the symptoms associated with the syndrome. UARS must be looked for in families with adult sleep-disordered breathing. Polygraphic recording during sleep will show flow limitation with usage of nasal cannula/pressure transducer system, but the abnormal breathing during sleep may be indicated also by burst of tachypnea without saturation drops. Esophageal pressure monitoring may be the only way to confirm a suspected diagnosis. A mild developmental anomaly of the craniofacial skeleton is often seen in these children even in the presence of enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Children with sleep-disordered breathing should have a maxillomandibular examination to assess the need for orthodontic treatment to expand the oral cavity.