Sleep Apnea in Children Linked to Higher Risk of Flu and COVID-19

A new study reveals a significant link between pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and an increased risk of contracting influenza and COVID-19. The research, utilizing a large cohort of children over a five-year period, indicates that children with OSA are nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with these viral infections.

What is Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition where a child briefly stops breathing during sleep due to a blockage in the upper airway Johns Hopkins Medicine. These pauses in breathing can disrupt sleep and potentially impact the immune system.

Study Findings: Increased Risk of Viral Infections

The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine in February 2026, analyzed data from 539,127 children aged 2-18 years with OSA and a matched control group without the condition Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. Key findings include:

• Influenza: Children with OSA had an 80% higher risk of being diagnosed with influenza (5.1% vs. 2.8% in controls). Their five-year influenza-free survival rate was 90.27% compared to 93.04% in the control group.
• COVID-19: The risk of COVID-19 diagnosis was nearly 2.5 times higher in children with OSA (2.5% vs. 1.0% in controls). Five-year COVID-19-free survival was 95.02% versus 97.49% in controls.
• Consistent Risk: The increased risk was observed across all age groups, from early childhood through adolescence.
• Pneumonia Risk: OSA was also associated with a higher risk of developing pneumonia as a result of influenza or COVID-19.

Adenotonsillectomy: Does Treatment Reduce Risk?

Adenotonsillectomy, a common treatment for pediatric OSA, did not appear to reduce the increased risk of viral infections in the study’s sub-analysis Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. This suggests that the immune dysregulation associated with OSA may persist even after addressing airway obstruction.

Implications and Future Research

While the absolute risks of influenza and COVID-19 remain relatively low, the study highlights the potential for persistent immune system effects following a diagnosis of pediatric OSA. Researchers suggest that further investigation is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms driving this increased susceptibility and to explore potential interventions to mitigate the risk. The findings underscore the importance of recognizing and addressing OSA in children, not only for its impact on sleep and development but also for potential implications for immune health News Medical.

Key Takeaways

• Children with obstructive sleep apnea have a significantly higher risk of contracting influenza and COVID-19.
• This increased risk is consistent across different age groups.
• Adenotonsillectomy does not appear to eliminate the increased risk of viral infections.
• OSA may be associated with immune dysregulation, warranting further research.