Assessment and treatment of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea in Canada: history and current state of affairs.

AIM: To highlight Canada's contributions to the assessment and treatment of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea as well as outline the current state of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea in Canada.

METHODS: A search was conducted in MEDLINE (Ovid) using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and free-text terms for 'child' and 'obstructive sleep apnea' with subsequent 'human' limit. The results were reviewed to identify publications where any author's listed a Canadian institution.

RESULTS: Canadian contributions to the field of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea have grown over the last 30 years with an increase in number of contributors and centres. Much of the early work stemmed from McGill University with important contributions in examining alternatives to polysomnography and post-adenotonsillectomy respiratory compromise. Today, contributors from centres across the country are engaged in the field and come from a greater diversity of disciplines. With continued challenges and opportunities, Canada will continue to help advance the field of pediatric OSA.

CONCLUSION: Canada has a strong community of people invested in continuing to work to improve the lives of Canadian children with pediatric OSA.