When big tonsils cause sleep apnea doctors will refer families to an ear nose and throat doctor ent. The main difference between osa in children and adults is that pediatric osa is most commonly due to enlarged tonsils and adenoids while the condition is likely but not always secondary to obesity in adults.
Sleep apnea can have profound consequences for a child in terms of energy level behavior and learning.
What is sleep apnea in a child. The snorts or gasps may waken them and disrupt their sleep. Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea osa is a sleep disorder that occurs when a child s breathing is partially or completely blocked due to narrowing in the upper airways during sleep. However snoring and sleep apnea are increasingly common conditions that can affect children.
According to the american academy of pediatrics symptoms of sleep apnea in children include. All these and especially the snoring are possible signs of sleep apnea which is commoner among children than. If your child has any of the symptoms at all of sleep apnea talk to your pediatrician.
The condition is due to narrowing or blockage of the upper airway during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea is a common problem in children today. Snore loudly and on a regular basis.
Sleep apnea symptoms in children. Does your child show other signs of disturbed sleep. When obstructive sleep apnea is mild doctors might check a child s sleep for a while to see if symptoms improve before deciding on treatment.
When you think of sleep apnea you may not think of a child as the most typical person to have the condition in fact you may not think of children as potential sufferers of sleep apnea at all. Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which your child s breathing is partially or completely blocked repeatedly during sleep. Have pauses gasps and snorts and actually stop breathing.
It s believed that 1 to 4 percent of children in the united states have sleep apnea. Nighttime snoring with occasional pauses. There are differences between pediatric obstructive sleep apnea and adult sleep apnea.
During the night a child with sleep apnea may. Apnea may also be associated with delayed growth and cardiovascular problems. Pediatric sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where a child has brief pauses in breathing while sleeping.
Please note again that unlike adults most children who suffer from sleep apnea are not obese. Long pauses in breathing much tossing and turning in the bed chronic mouth breathing during sleep night sweats owing to increased effort to breathe. Does your child snore.
