Can childhood asthma make a person more likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea later?

Childhood asthma and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are both common breathing problems in children. Research suggests that having asthma as a child may raise the risk of developing OSA later in life. A 2025 meta-analysis found that children with asthma are about 66% more likely to develop OSA compared to those without asthma ². This connection may be due to shared factors like inflammation and obesity ⁹.

What the research says

A large meta-analysis published in 2025 combined 11 studies from the United States, Europe, and Asia. It found that childhood asthma was significantly linked to a higher risk of OSA, with a pooled odds ratio of 1.66 (95% CI 1.21-2.26) ². This means children with asthma had about 66% higher odds of developing OSA. The link was strongest in cohort studies (OR 2.00) and in studies from America and Asia ².

Obesity is another important factor. Obesity is a known risk factor for both asthma and OSA in children, and it can make asthma worse and increase the chance of OSA ⁹. Obese children may also have persistent OSA even after treatment like adenotonsillectomy ⁹.

Inflammation may also play a role. Asthma involves airway inflammation, and OSA is linked to inflammatory processes. Some studies suggest that children with asthma and wheezing are more likely to have sleep-disordered breathing, which can include OSA ¹⁰. However, the exact reasons for the asthma-OSA link are still being studied.

What to ask your doctor

• Given my child's asthma history, should we monitor for signs of sleep apnea like loud snoring or daytime sleepiness?
• Could my child's asthma medications or obesity be affecting their risk for sleep apnea?
• What screening tools or sleep studies are available if we are concerned about sleep apnea?
• How can we manage both asthma and sleep apnea together to improve overall health?