Nasal Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure for the Treatment of Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

This is an interventional treatment trial for Organic Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea focused on measuring NEPAP, CPAP, alternative, OSAS Read More

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Subjects age 5-16 years (note: Due to the size of the devices, it is expected that most children will be at least 8 years old, but a few may be younger. Subjects will be evaluated in clinic to fit for size and habituate to the device)
2. OSAS (AHI > 5/hr)
3. Subject has had adenotonsillectomy or is not a candidate for adenotonsillectomy
4. Subject is non-adherent to CPAP or is seeking an alternative therapy
5. Tolerance of NEPAP device during a daytime session
6. Parental/guardian permission (informed consent) and if appropriate, child assent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Severe developmental delay thought to involve a high risk of aspiration
2. Family does not understand English well enough to perform the standardized, validated questionnaires.
3. Age >16 years since results may be similar to adult studies in these older patients.
4. Severe breathing disorder (including respiratory muscle weakness, bullous lung disease, bypassed upper airway, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum)
5. Severe heart disease (including heart failure)
6. An acute upper respiratory (including nasal, sinus or middle ear) inflammation or infection or perforation of the ear drum

Subjects that do not meet all of the enrollment criteria will not be enrolled. Any violations of these criteria will be reported in accordance with Institutional Review Board (IRB) Policies and Procedures.

Study members will not recruit females who are known to be pregnant. However, if a subject becomes pregnant during the study, we will continue to use the device. Pregnancy is not an exclusion criterion as positive airway pressure therapy does not harm the pregnant woman or fetus.