Many children with untreated obstructive sleep apnea are more likely to run the risk of having adaptive, behavioral, and learning problems. Some of the daytime symptoms of poor sleep caused by sleep apnea might manifest themselves as symptoms similar to ADHD-hyperactivity, they will struggle with learning and concentration, and poor performance at school. 25% of children diagnosed with ADHD might have in fact symptoms of sleep apnea, and their learning and behavioral problems are instead related to poor and fragmented sleep. However, if you are looking for a mouthpiece device to treat your child’s sleep apnea, this pure sleep review 2017 will answer all the question you may have about anti-snoring treatments.
These are the symptoms and health risks of sleep apnea in children
If you suspect that your child may have sleep apnea, here are some symptoms to keep your eye out for. Almost all of the signs can be detected during sleep, and some others during the day.
- Approximately 10% of the children that snore have sleep apnea
- Children with enlarged adenoids tend to breathe with their mouths open
- Breathing pauses during sleep
- Difficulty to get concentrated
- Behavioral issues
- Daytime sleepiness
- Poor performance at school
Causes of sleep apnea in children
For children, the most common cause of sleep apnea is enlarged tonsils or adenoids. When the tissues are enlarged, they can cause breathing difficulties during the day. When the child is sleeping, the muscles in the body relax including those in the throat. That relaxation of the muscles allows the tonsils and adenoids to restrict airflow in the upper respiratory system further, causing sleep apnea events while sleeping. Childhood obesity can also contribute to having sleep apnea in the same way that it does in adults.
Treatments for sleep apnea in children
- Enlarged tonsils or adenoids are the main cause of sleep apnea in children, and for that, having surgery to remove the tissues often improves the symptoms of sleep apnea in 90% of the cases.
- For children who have sleep apnea due to obesity, weight management and lifestyle programs are usually employed to help children lose and manage their weight. This treatment can include exercise and nutrition programs.
Finding a specialist
If you suspect that your child might have sleep apnea, you may want to seek out a pediatrician that is specialized in sleep disorders.
How to diagnosed sleep apnea in children
A positive diagnosis for child sleep apnea also differs significantly from a diagnosis in an adult.
For children, only one event per hour is needed to indicate a positive diagnosis of sleep apnea:
- Mild sleep apnea 1-5
- Moderate sleep apnea 5-15
- Severe sleep apnea 15 or higher
As we already know, sleep apnea is a critical condition, and it’s even more severe in children. Take your son or daughter to the doctor as soon as you can once you have noticed the symptoms of his/her sleep disorder. This video explains in detail more factors about obstructive sleep apnea in children and how to treat it once you have detected that your child experiences the common symptoms of sleep apnea.