Obstructive sleep apnea in children is a condition in which a child stops breathing while sleeping. This develops as a result of a blockage in the upper airway which is the passage that connects the nose and mouth to the windpipe and lungs.
The child’s respiration may come to a standstill numerous times during the night, disrupting their sleep. Signs of sleep apnea in children include snoring as well as bedwetting or sleep wandering and it most commonly occurs in children aged between 3 and 6.
What Are The Causes Of Child Sleep Apnea?
Tissues in the upper airway relax as the child falls asleep. This airway is partially blocked while they are awake and falling asleep might cause it to close. Enlarged tonsils and adenoids, located on the sides and rear of the neck, are the most prevalent cause of such an obstruction in youngsters.
They can enlarge as a result of an infection and may therefore temporarily obstruct the airway while sleeping.
Causes of sleep apnea include growth or tumor in the airway. Down syndrome and Pierre-Robin syndrome are examples of syndromes or birth abnormalities that may result in this condition.
What Are The Symptoms Of Child Sleep Apnea?
Each child’s symptoms may manifest uniquely. From babies and toddlers to young children, all may go through different symptoms. The sleep apnea symptoms in toddlers and children include:
- During sleep, loud snoring or noisy breathing (gasping or snorting)
- Breathing pauses that might last anywhere from a few seconds to a minute.
- Breathing via the mouth
- A nasal tone to the voice
- Too much daytime drowsiness or irritation might cause restlessness during sleep.
- During the day, hyperactivity
- Behavioral issues
- Night terrors or sleepwalking
- Wetting the bed
- Need for sleep when you’re beyond the age of napping Learning difficulties
How Is Child Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?
A physical exam and a review of your child’s medical history and symptoms will be used to diagnose pediatric sleep apnea. Doctors may opt for the tests including:
- Oximetry
If the doctor is considering the issue to be obstructive sleep apnea but doesn’t have access to a full polysomnogram, the diagnosis can be confirmed by recording oxygen levels through overnight oximetry.
- Polysomnogram
A study is conducted overnight while the child sleeps. This is so the doctors can assess your child’s wellbeing. While your child sleeps, sensors on the body capture heart rate, oxygen levels, snoring, breathing patterns, brain wave,s and muscular activity.
- Electrocardiogram
To test whether your child has a cardiac issue, an ECG test can be performed by connecting wired electrodes to sensor patches on the heart.
What Is The Treatment Recommended For Child Sleep Apnea?
Natural Treatment
Sleep apnea in children can be treated naturally by altering their sleeping position or by maintaining their weight. Obesity plays a role in obstructing the passage airway, and by ensuring a healthy body weight, this issue can be avoided. Furthermore, a correct sleeping posture needs to be adopted to avoid pediatric OSA.
Medications
Some children with pediatric OSA may benefit from nasal steroids such as fluticasone (Dymista) and budesonide (, Pulmicort Flexhaler, Rhinocort, and others). When administered alone or in combination with nasal steroids, montelukast (Singulair) may help reduce symptoms of sleep apnea in children with allergies.
Removal Of The Tonsils And Adenoids
Your doctor may recommend your kid to a pediatric ear, nose, and throat specialist to consider the removal of the tonsils and adenoids if he or she has moderate to severe sleep apnea.
Opening the airway, and adenotonsillectomy may help with obstructive sleep apnea in children. Depending on the child’s health, several types of upper airway surgery may be needed.
Positive Airway Pressure Therapy
In continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and bilevel positive airway pressure (BIPAP), small machines gently force air through a tube and mask connected to your child’s nose, or mouth to keep their airway open.
Doctors typically utilize positive airway pressure therapy to treat baby sleep apnea or sleep apnea induced in toddlers.
Oral Appliances
Oral appliances, such as dental devices or mouthpieces, may be recommended. There are various gadgets available that can assist in keeping your child’s upper airway open or help broaden the nasal passageways.
What Are The Different Complications Faced Due To OSA?
As a result of the disease, a child’s blood may have less oxygen than typical which can cause the child’s lungs and heart to be irreversibly harmed. Sleep apnea can also have an impact on your child’s overall development and growth.
