Aggregated occurrence of sleep apnea syndrome in a family

We experienced a family in whom sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) was recognized i n six members and habitual snoring in seven members among 26 subjects of fo ur generations. In all members with snoring, the disorder was noticed befor e the age of 20. Hypercapnic response study showed normal findings, and ult rafast magnetic resonance image of the upper airway revealed that the obstr uction of the upper airway occurred at the velopharyngeal portion during ap neic episodes in all SAS-afflicted subjects. In this family, the similar cr aniofacial structural abnormalities were thought to cause the aggregated oc currences of the disorders at young ages, and obesity was regarded as a con tributor for the aggravated symptoms.