Aim To examine the risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children with cerebral palsy
(CP) and/or epilepsy. Method This cross‐sectional study employs the Pediatric Sleep
Questionnaire (PSQ), the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), and chart
review to identify symptoms of OSA in children presenting to a multi‐specialty pediatric
healthcare institution. Results Two‐hundred and fifteen patients were grouped into those
with epilepsy (n= 54), CP (n= 18), both (n= 55), and neither (comparison group, n= 88). The …

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is not uncommon in children with cerebral palsy. Children
with cerebral palsy are at increased risk for OSA secondary to anatomic upper airway
factors, craniofacial abnormalities, abnormal muscle tone, and underlying pulmonary and
neurologic disease. Medications used in children with cerebral palsy can also increase risk
of OSA. Consequences of untreated OSA include daytime sleepiness, behavioral changes
including irritability, hyperactivity, or poor academic performance, and cardiopulmonary …