Development of Modified Questionnaire for Screening Purposes for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Pediatric Population

Objective. To assess the relationship between the clinical complaints in pediatric population, suspected with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and the gravity of polysomnographic criteria, a modified protocol for screening purposes has been developed. Material and Methods. For a period of one year, during regular otorhinolaryngologic exam, five pediatric patients, aged between 4, 5 and 9 years with potential obstructive sleep disordered breathing has been identified. Subsequently, their parents fill out the modified questionnaire to evaluate the necessity of further polysomnographic examination. Results. All five patients underwent split-night polysomnography and have been diagnosed with OSA, one with REM-dependent OSA. Conclusion. Based on our clinical experience, we believe that the developed protocol for screening purposes is a valuable and effective tool for early detection of pediatric OSA, while the exact diagnosis requires an overnight polysomnography as a golden standard.