The Importance of Distinguishing Teen OSA Treatment from Adult Approaches, Featuring Dr. Binal Kancherla
Navigating the Complexities of Adolescent Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Insights from SLEEP 2025
At the recent SLEEP 2025 conference, the 39th annual gathering of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies held in Seattle, Dr. Binal Kancherla from Baylor College of Medicine addressed the nuanced challenges associated with diagnosing and treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adolescents. This discussion is particularly pertinent as OSA can significantly affect various developmental trajectories in teenagers.
Dr. Kancherla emphasized the need for a tailored approach in managing OSA among this demographic, contrasting pediatric criteria with adult standards. Given that adolescence is a critical transitional phase characterized by considerable physiological changes and the pursuit of autonomy, Kancherla argued that reliance on adult treatment protocols could obscure the unique needs of younger patients. “Considering teenagers as small adults is not the right thing to do,” she stated, underscoring the importance of involving family members in the treatment process while respecting teens’ desire for personal agency in their healthcare decisions.
Research illustrates that adolescents experience significant developmental changes, including variations in airway size and body mass index (BMI), which complicate the interpretation of polysomnography results—the gold standard for diagnosing sleep disorders. During puberty, physiological developments can contribute to fluctuations in sleep architecture, making it crucial for healthcare providers to utilize pediatric diagnostic criteria. Dr. Kancherla noted that many healthcare centers continue to apply pediatric standards for patients up to 17 years of age to ensure comprehensive evaluations that consider the ongoing growth and anatomical changes that can occur well into late adolescence.
Despite having fewer criteria for initiating treatment compared to adults, even mild cases of OSA in children can have lasting adverse effects on their growth and development. The increased prevalence of obesity during the teenage years further complicates the management of sleep apnea, as it is a known risk factor that can exacerbate the condition.
Dr. Kancherla further pointed out the variability in OSA diagnoses during adolescence, highlighting the necessity for frequent follow-ups and consistent monitoring of patients. “There can be a high degree of variability in the diagnosis of OSA in these ages,” she explained, advocating for a proactive, individualized treatment approach to manage this complex condition effectively.
As the medical community continues to refine its understanding of adolescent health, the insights shared by Dr. Kancherla at SLEEP 2025 contribute valuable perspectives on the necessity for age-appropriate treatment strategies in managing obstructive sleep apnea among adolescents, ultimately aiming for improved health outcomes in this vulnerable population.
References
– Majid R, Kancherla B, and Wani A. “Adult or Pediatric? Diagnostic and Treatment Dilemmas when Managing Teen OSA.” Presented at SLEEP 2025, the 39th annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, Seattle, Washington, June 9, 2025.
