Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a frequent albeit underdiagnosed condition in children, which if left untreated may lead to substantial morbidity. Important recent advances in the understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying OSA in children have been coupled with improved approaches towards the diagnosis and management of OSA. This review provides a detailed and current description of OSA in children, and focuses on the integrative elements necessary for increasing the awareness and diagnostic yield of the community practitioner.