American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) Practice Exam

Adenotonsillar hypertrophy is recognized as the most common etiology for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children. This condition refers to the enlargement of the adenoids and tonsils, which can significantly obstruct the upper airway during sleep. In children, these tissues can be disproportionately large relative to the size of the airway, leading to intermittent obstruction and resultant apneas or hypopneas.

When these tissues are enlarged, they can block airflow, triggering episodes of apnea where the child may temporarily stop breathing during sleep. This leads to fragmented sleep and can affect overall health and development. In many cases, addressing the hypertrophy through surgical intervention, such as adenotonsillectomy, can alleviate the symptoms of OSA.

While obesity, allergic rhinitis, and conditions like cleft palate are also associated with OSA, they are not as prevalent in the pediatric population. Obesity can increase the risk of OSA, particularly in older children, but it does not account for the majority of cases in the younger demographic. Allergic rhinitis can contribute to airway inflammation but is secondary to the mechanical obstruction caused by adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Cleft palate may lead to airway issues, but it is less common than the hypert