TREATMENT OF SLEEP-APNEA AND SNORING IN CHILDREN

Sleep apnea syndrome in children is usually caused by adenoidar and to nsillar hypertrophy. Here, we report on a typical case of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, and also discuss recent indications for tonsille ctomy in children. A 6-year-old boy came to our hospital suffering fro m serious obesity and somnolescence. He could not sleep lying down and thus started to sleep in a sitting position. Even during daytime he s lept while standing, and exhibited hypersomnolescence. He was 133 cm t all and weighed 80 kg, and tonsillar hypertrophy was recognised. Conse quently, tonsillectomy and a weight reducing program were undertaken. The lowest SaO(2) improved from 50% to 70%, and sleep apnea also decre ased from 141 to 71 episodes. Moreover, the hypersomnolescence improve d.