Treatment of sleep apnea and snoring in children.

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