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Review
. 2025 Mar:60 Suppl 1:S70-S72.
doi: 10.1002/ppul.27314. Epub 2024 Oct 4.

The bidirectional interplay of obstructive sleep apnea and viral respiratory infections in children: A novel opportunity for primary prevention

Gustavo Nino  1   2   3 , Elizabeth Chorvinsky  1   2   3 , Surajit Bhattacharya  1   2   3 , Maria J Gutierrez  4
Affiliations
Review

The bidirectional interplay of obstructive sleep apnea and viral respiratory infections in children: A novel opportunity for primary prevention

Gustavo Nino et al. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2025 Mar.

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and viral respiratory infections are highly prevalent conditions in children and a major cause of respiratory morbidity in this age group. Severe viral respiratory infections are a known risk factor for pediatric OSA, which is primarily caused by hypertrophy of upper airway lymphoid tissues (adenoids and tonsils). This review examines recent progress in understanding early-life development of lymphoid tissues in the human upper airway, with a particular focus on how respiratory viruses may influence this process and contribute to OSA pathogenesis. It also explores the bidirectional relationship between OSA and severe viral infections, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and novel primary prevention strategies to address these interconnected conditions.

Keywords: OSA; adenoids; children; tonsils; viral respiratory infections.

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References

REFERENCES

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