SynthesisEuropean archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery2026
Association between mouth breathing and pediatric obstructive sleep apnea: a systematic review.
Synthesis in European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundSleep is critical for children's neurocognitive and behavioural development but is often disrupted by sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). While polysomnography is the diagnostic gold standard for identifying OSA, its accessibility is limited. Mouth breathing is a key, observable symptom associated with P-OSA, and it can further increase OSA risk by altering craniofacial development. Recognizing mouth breathing can aid in the early diagnosis and treatment of P-OSA.
aimTo conduct a systematic review to evaluate and consolidate the existing evidence on the relationship between mouth breathing and P-OSA.
designThe research question was framed using the PEO format. A comprehensive literature search was conducted through MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, LILACS, Web of Science, Cochrane and OVID up to September 2025. Study quality was assessed, and data were managed using Distiller SR software.
resultsThe search identified 3722 articles. After removing duplicates, the articles were screened and reviewed, of which 13 studies - 2 cross-sectional and 11 cohort-met inclusion criteria for qualitative analysis. Most studies reported a significant correlation between mouth breathing and OSA severity, with some identifying mouth breathing as a predictor of persistent OSA after adenotonsillectomy. However, variability in diagnostic methods contributed to inconsistent findings.
conclusionThe available literature suggests that mouth breathing is closely linked to P-OSA, playing a key role in both early diagnosis and ongoing assessment of treatment efficacy. Recognizing mouth breathing as an early marker of P-OSA underscores the need for vigilant assessment by healthcare providers.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.