Management of Sleep-Disordered Breathing In Children

Dear Colleagues,

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in children represents a growing interdisciplinary challenge, with implications that extend far beyond the respiratory system. Once considered a purely otolaryngologic condition, pediatric SDB is now understood as a multifactorial disorder influencing neurocognitive development, behavior, metabolism, and cardiovascular health. The Special Issue titled “Management of Sleep-Disordered Breathing In Children” aims to highlight current advances in diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment, emphasizing the importance of early detection and personalized, multidisciplinary care. Contributions will explore innovative diagnostic tools, such as home sleep monitoring and biomarkers, the role of neuroinflammation and genetics, and novel therapeutic approaches ranging from adenotonsillectomy and orthodontic management to pharmacological and behavioral strategies. By integrating clinical, neurophysiological, and developmental perspectives, this Special Issue seeks to foster a holistic understanding of pediatric SDB and to promote evidence-based approaches that improve both sleep quality and overall child well-being.

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in children encompasses a wide spectrum of respiratory disturbances, ranging from primary snoring to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Once regarded as a benign or transient condition, pediatric SDB is now recognized as a significant disorder with systemic repercussions on neurocognitive function, emotional regulation, metabolism, and cardiovascular health. In recent decades, research has shifted from focusing solely on airway obstruction to exploring the broader neurobiological and developmental consequences of disrupted sleep and oxygen desaturation in childhood.

This Special Issue, “Management of Sleep-Disordered Breathing In Children”, aims to provide an updated and integrated perspective on the mechanisms, assessment, and treatment of pediatric SDB. Emphasis will be placed on early detection, individualized management, and the synergy among disciplines such as pediatric neurology, otolaryngology, pulmonology, orthodontics, and developmental neuropsychiatry.

We particularly welcome studies addressing novel diagnostic tools (home-based polysomnography, wearable sleep sensors, and biomarkers); the impact of SDB and OSAS on brain maturation, executive functions, and neurocognitive impairment; and the role of systemic and neuroinflammatory stress in disease progression. Research exploring the gut–brain axis, oxidative stress mechanisms, and integrative rehabilitative or neuromodulatory strategies will also be highly relevant.

We welcome original research articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical studies exploring epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic innovations, and multidisciplinary or precision-based interventions in pediatric SDB. Translational and developmental studies linking sleep pathology with neurobehavioral outcomes are especially encouraged.

Dr. Giuseppina Marcuccio
Prof. Dr. Marco Carotenuto
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Children is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• pediatric sleep disorders
• obstructive sleep apnea (OSAS)
• neurocognitive impairment and SDB
• executive dysfunction syndrome
• OSAS-related neuroinflammation
• stress-inflammatory pathways
• precision sleep medicine
• multidisciplinary management