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CPAP vs High-Flow Nasal Cannula for Treating Sleep Apnea in Children
Sponsor: The Hospital for Sick Children
Summary
This study is looking at two different treatments for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children. OSA is a sleep condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, which can affect a child's health, behavior, learning, and quality of life. Children with moderate-to-severe OSA who cannot be treated with surgery are often prescribed Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). CPAP uses a mask worn during sleep to deliver pressurized air and keep the airway open. Although CPAP is effective, many children have difficulty using it regularly because it can feel uncomfortable or hard to tolerate. This study compares CPAP with another treatment called High-Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC). HFNC delivers warm, humidified air through soft nasal prongs and may be more comfortable and easier for children to use while still helping keep the airway open during sleep. Children aged 2 to 18 years with moderate-to-severe OSA will be randomly assigned to use either CPAP or HFNC at home during sleep for 3 months. The study will measure how much each treatment is used, how well it improves sleep-related symptoms and quality of life, how comfortable it is for children, and how it affects caregivers. The goal of this study is to find out whether HFNC is a comfortable and effective alternative to CPAP for treating obstructive sleep apnea in children.
Official title: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure vs High Flow Nasal Cannula for the Treatment of OSA in Children
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
2 Years - 18 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
258
Start Date
2026-06-01
Completion Date
2031-12
Last Updated
2026-05-20
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
High Flow Nasal Cannula
High-Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC) therapy delivers warmed, humidified air at high flow rates through soft nasal prongs during sleep to support upper airway patency in children with obstructive sleep apnea. The therapy is used nightly at home, with flow settings optimized according to standard clinical care and overnight sleep study titration.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy delivers pressurized air through a nasal or oronasal mask worn during sleep to maintain upper airway patency and treat obstructive sleep apnea. CPAP therapy is used nightly at home, with pressure settings optimized according to standard clinical care and overnight sleep study titration.
Locations (1)
The Hospital for Sick Children
Toronto, Ontario, Canada