Severity of obstructive sleep apnoea in children - events per hour of sleep.
The Apnoea–Hypopnoea Index (Paediatric OSA) is a sleep scoring tool used in paediatric practice. Severity of obstructive sleep apnoea in children - events per hour of sleep. It scores 1 criteria and interprets the total across 4 bands, so the number always arrives with the severity it implies rather than on its own. In PediAid each criterion is shown as a labelled option with the weight it carries, so the total can be checked rather than taken on trust.
1. They are AHI - obstructive apnoeas + hypopnoeas per hour of sleep.
The total is interpreted as: any score - Normal: aHI <1/hour is normal in children - note that the paediatric threshold is far lower than the adult cut-off of 5; 1 severity band or more - Mild OSA: aHI 1-4.9 - mild paediatric OSA. Consider adenotonsillectomy if adenotonsillar hypertrophy is present, or intranasal steroids/montelukast; reassess; 2 severity band or more - Moderate OSA: aHI 5-9.9 - moderate OSA. Adenotonsillectomy is usually first-line; arrange post-operative reassessment; 3 severity band or more - Severe OSA: aHI ≥10 - severe OSA. High peri-operative risk: plan inpatient post-operative monitoring; consider CPAP if surgery is unsuitable or residual disease persists.
No. It is a structured way to record and communicate severity. A clinician concerned about a child should act on that concern regardless of the total.
Paediatric criteria differ from adults: an obstructive AHI ≥1/hour is already abnormal in a child.
Yes. Score definitions are bundled with the PediAid app, so the score computes without a connection.