Sleep apnea in children involves a dysfunction of the upper airway, causing a child to stop and restart breathing multiple times during sleep.
This can result in issues with sleep quality, frequent waking, and sleepiness during the daytime. Sleep apnea in children may also lead to changes in behavior and overall health issues.
In this article, we will further discuss sleep apnea in children, including its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
There are two types of sleep apnea in children: central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea.
Central sleep apnea occurs when there is an issue with the central nervous system. In contrast, obstructive sleep apnea occurs when part or all of the upper airway collapses during sleep.
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Other research indicates that the
There are several other health conditions and factors that may lead to sleep apnea in children, including:
- infections of the respiratory tract, such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia
- chronic nasal obstruction, which may be due to conditions such as severe septal deviation, nasal polyps, and allergic rhinitis
- asthma attacks
- metabolic issues, such as Sanfilippo syndrome
- an obstruction in the airways, such as food or an object
- abnormalities of the chest wall that are present from birth
- structural abnormalities of the face or head, such as Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, Apert syndrome, and Treacher Collins syndrome
- Down syndrome
- exposure to certain toxins, including carbon monoxide
- increased intracranial pressure
- neuromuscular disorders, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Guillain-Barré syndrome
- sickle cell anemia
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Symptoms of sleep apnea in children can differ from those that affect adults with sleep apnea.
The
Other symptoms of sleep apnea in children
- snoring
- breathing through the mouth
- waking frequently during the night
- bedwetting
- restlessness
- difficulty waking up
- frequent nightmares
To diagnose sleep apnea in children, a healthcare professional will typically
- enlarged adenoids
- enlarged tonsils
- swelling of the lining of the nasal passages
- a tongue that is larger than usual
- a palate that is high and narrow
- a lower jaw that is smaller than usual
Following a physical examination, a healthcare professional may carry out nocturnal polysomnography (PSG). This is a type of sleep study that uses specialist monitoring equipment to analyze how someone sleeps overnight.
A PSG test involves using specialist monitoring equipment to test several factors while a person sleeps,
- levels of oxygen in the blood
- brain waves
- muscular activity
- breathing rate and effort
- heart rate
- eye movement
A doctor can use PSG test results to determine whether an individual has sleep apnea or any other sleep disorders.
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Following an adenotonsillectomy, several factors may cause persisting sleep apnea in children. Therefore, a healthcare professional may recommend one or a combination of the following treatments:
- weight management if a child has obesity
- asthma treatment if a child has asthma
- avoiding allergens, secondhand smoke, and toxins
- rapid maxillary expansion, a procedure to widen the upper palate and nasal passages
- myofunctional therapy, which helps a person train the muscles in the tongue, mouth, and face
- steroids and other anti-inflammatory medications
- using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine
Sleep apnea in children describes when a child stops and restarts breathing several times during sleep.
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Sleep apnea in children
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