IMPACT OF SLEEP APNEA ON PEDIATRIC ENT HEALTH

Background: OSA in children is an established sleep condition involving episodic closing of the upper airways mainly because of enlarged adenoid and tonsils. The condition plays an essential role in causing numerous ENT complications that affect otitis media and create nasal blockages in addition to triggering speech developmental issues and craniofacial structural problems. Untreated pediatric obstructive sleep apnea can lead to three significant consequences for both cognitive development and hearing abilities as well as life quality which strongly support early medical intervention. Objectives: to analyzes pediatric OSA's effects on ENT-associated diseases while investigating how severe OSA relates to different ear-nose-throat complications. Study design:  A prospective cohort study. Place and duration of study. Department of ENT MTI KGN BMC Bannu from jan 2021 to Dec 2021 Methods:  A prospective cohort analysis evaluated 100 pediatric OSA patients through polysomnography diagnosis. Evaluation through thorough ENT examinations included three tests: otoscope examination and tympanometry and nasopharyngoscopy. The research gathered information about ENT symptoms and diagnoses for analysis. The severity of OSA received categories according to the medical measurement known as apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). Statistical calculations were carried out through SPSS v25 software where p values less than 0.05 denoted significant relationships between varia A prospective cohort analysis evaluated 100 pediatric OSA patients through polysomnography diagnosis. Evaluation through thorough ENT examinations included three tests: otoscope examination and tympanometry and nasopharyngoscopy. The research gathered information about ENT symptoms and diagnoses for analysis. The severity of OSA received categories according to the medical measurement known as apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). Statistical calculations were carried out through SPSS v25 software where p values less than 0.05 denoted significant relationships between variables.bles. Results:  One hundred pediatric patients with mean age of 6.4 ± 2.1 years participated in the study. Seventy-two percent had moderate-to-severe OSA. Eighty-five percent of patients showed enlarged adenoids and tonsils during clinical examination. The occurrence of recurrent otitis media turned out to be greater in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea (p=0.032). The survey revealed nasal obstruction and chronic mouth breathing affected 68% and 59% of the total participants. The test results from tympanometry detected Eustachian tube dysfunction in 42% of these patients. The study results confirmed a statistically important connection between AHI score ratings and ENT medical condition counts using a p value of 0.017. Conclusion:  The effects of Pediatric OSA upon ENT health are substantial because it causes chronic otitis media and nasal obstruction and upper airway inflammation. Preventive measures such as early identification along with treatments from multiple healthcare professionals should combine with adenotonsillectomy procedures to prevent lasting medical complications. All protocols for managing OSA in children should include regular ENT assessments.