A 6-year-old child presents with habitual snoring, witnessed apneas, nocturnal enuresis, and behavioral problems at school. Polysomnography confirms obstructive sleep apnea. The Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) threshold used to define OSA in children (as opposed to adults) is:

• A AHI ≥ 5 events/hour
• B AHI > 1 event/hour ✓
• C AHI ≥ 15 events/hour
• D AHI ≥ 10 events/hour

Explanation

In children, an AHI greater than 1 event per hour is considered abnormal and diagnostic of OSA, compared to adults where the threshold is ≥5/hour for mild OSA. This lower threshold reflects that any significant respiratory event during sleep is pathological in the pediatric population. Adenotonsillectomy is the first-line treatment for pediatric OSA with adenotonsillar hypertrophy.

Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.