Symptoms and signs of upper airway obstruction

Obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) varies in severity from primary snoring to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Undiagnosed and untreated SDB in children is associated with adverse effects on neurobehavioral development, cardiovascular morbidity, poor quality of life, and increased healthcare utilization. Signs and symptoms of SDB can be classified by the timing of symptoms or by their relationship to upper airway obstruction (UAO) and related morbidity. Snoring is the hallmark indicator and commonly prompts parents to seek medical attention. This chapter will provide an updated overview of the symptoms and signs of UAO in children.