Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Cardiovascular Disease in Children and Adolescents

Published: August 18, 2021

The sick teenage boy sleeps comfortably throughout the morning.
  • Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are common in children; prevalence parallels the prevalence of childhood obesity. Adenotonsillar hypertrophy, as the sole cause of these conditions is being outpaced by the rising prevalence of childhood obesity.
  • Children with OSA are most likely to experience greater cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk via the co-existence of co-morbid conditions such as obesity, hypertension (HTN), and metabolic syndrome (MetS).
  • Obstructive sleep apnea and sleep disordered breathing are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Greater clarity is needed to address proper diagnosis, management, and treatment.