5 Key Takeaways

• 1

  Children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) face a significantly higher risk of influenza and COVID-19 compared to peers without OSA.

• 2

  Over five years, children with OSA had a 1.80 risk ratio for influenza and a 2.50 risk ratio for COVID-19 diagnoses.

• 3

  Adenotonsillectomy did not reduce the five-year risk of influenza or COVID-19 in children with OSA.

• 4

  Persistent immune dysregulation in pediatric OSA may contribute to increased susceptibility to viral infections.

• 5

  Clinicians should prioritize seasonal influenza vaccination and COVID-19 immunization for children diagnosed with OSA.