Sleep Apnea in Kids

Sleep apnea is a well known condition in adults, however sleep apnea in kids can also occur but may be more challenging to diagnose or recognize. Symptoms and treatments vary with the age groups. Central and obstructive sleep apnea are further divided as the two condition are more common in different age groups.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea in kids occurs when the upper airways are partially or completely obstructed and normal ventilation is disrupted during sleep. Children and toddlers are more prone to central apnea.

Central Sleep Apnea in kids is present when the neurological message fails to initiate breathing. This is more common in premature or newborn babies. A young nervous system or other serious condition such as hypoxia, hypothermia, infection, or intracranial hemorrhage may be in conjunction with central apnea. Central overall is less common than obstructive apnea.

The combination of the two, mixed sleep apnea can affect toddlers and newborns. For the rest of this article, we will mainly be referring to obstructive sleep apnea.

Sleep Apnea is kids, although similar to adults does have distinct differences.

• Obesity is less of a factor in children with sleep apnea
• Adenotonsillar hypertrophy is the most common cause of apnea in children
• Tonsilectomy and adenoidectomy is often the most succesful treatment for children, as opposed to tracheotomy and CPAP for adults
• The rates in boys and girls is almost equal, as adult males have higher rates than women
• Snoring in children is more continuous in apnea cases, as adult snoring will be intermittent
• Sleepiness in children with apnea is not as common, in comparison to adults whose number one symptom is sleepiness

Who is at Risk?

Although all children may be susceptible, certain conditions make kids more susceptible. The condition is more common in kids with birth injuries, down syndrome, sickle cell disease and other conditions that affect the upper airways. In older children, as with adults, obesity also raises their risk factors.

Symptoms in Childhood Sleep Apnea

The typical symptoms in adults can parallel sleep apnea in kids. Snoring, mouth breathing, and restless sleep. However in children these are not always as apparent and other signs could be decreased school performance or obstinate behavioral changes. Children are not always as able to express themselves and when they are tired they can become ornery.

Treatment

In a majority of children's sleep apnea cases, enlarged tonsils and adenoids are to blame and therefore removal will usually be the solution. The CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) mask provides gentle positive air pressure in the airway during the night. However all cases of sleep apnea in kids should be addressed with their doctor, as the condition can be serious.

What All Parents Should Know

With limited rest and a lack of quality deep sleep, children are more prone to behavioral problems. Kids are growing and developing and require a lot of sleep for the body and brain to function optimally. Instead of identifying a child's disorderly conduct as sleep apnea, it may be misdiagnosed with a behavioral disorder or ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).

Prevention

If you have one child that suffers from this problem, you are now aware and can work to prevent it in your other loved ones and friends' children. Treating the initial onset of snoring and caring for nasal congestion are helpful steps to take. As always treating and preventing obesity is essential, not only for sleep apnea but for the child's overall health both now and in the future.

Sleep apnea in kids and adults can greatly alter ones quality of life and too often goes undiagnosed. The person suffering from the condition is often unaware, as their sleep is not interrupted enough for the person to wake up. Pay attention to the warning signs take action. Sleep apnea is fortunately very treatable.

Related Sleep Apnea Topics

• Weight Gain and Sleep Apnea

Related Sleep Topics for Children

• Sleep Aids for Children