CPAP vs High-Flow Nasal Cannula for Treating Sleep Apnea in Children
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Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 2 and 18 years old?
Source: NCT07600333, who can take part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorTrial details
- Who runs it
- The Hospital for Sick Children
- Trial code
- NCT07600333
- Record updated
- 20 May 2026
- Original description
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.Read full original descriptionShow less
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure vs High Flow Nasal Cannula for the Treatment of OSA in Children
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.
Inclusion: Aged 2 to 18 years; Diagnosed with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, defined as an obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (OAHI) ≥5 events/hour, confirmed by an in-laboratory polysomnography within the previous 6 months; Deemed to require Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy as part of usual clinical care; Ability of the participant and/or parent or legal guardian to provide informed consent (and assent when applicable).
Exclusion: Prior use of CPAP or High-Flow Nasal Cannula therapy for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea within the previous 12 months; Chronic respiratory failure or medical conditions requiring ventilatory support with a set respiratory rate (e.g., neuromuscular disease requiring bilevel ventilation with a backup rate); History of pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum; Predominant or pathological central sleep apnea (central apnea-hypopnea index ≥5 events/hour); Hypoventilation requiring non-invasive ventilation with a set respiratory rate; Uncontrolled gastroesophageal reflux and/or recurrent vomiting; Uncontrolled oral secretions.