Children with Sleep Apnea: Signs, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options

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Does your child snore every night?

Most parents assume snoring is normal and nothing to worry about. But here’s something you may not realize…

Did you know that 1-5% of children have obstructive sleep apnea? That’s MILLIONS of kids who are struggling to breathe properly while they sleep.

The good news is, when caught early, pediatric sleep apnea is totally treatable. Meaning your child can get back to sleeping through the night and feeling their best during the day.

In this article we’ll cover:

• What is pediatric sleep apnea?
• Warning signs parents should know
• How doctors diagnose sleep apnea
• Treatment options that actually work

What is Pediatric Sleep Apnea?

Childhood sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that is different from adult sleep apnea.

During sleep, something is blocking the airway of a child who has sleep apnea. It’s usually their tonsils or adenoids that have become enlarged.

The most important difference is that kids with sleep apnea never stop breathing completely, like adults with the condition.

Instead, they usually experience a partial blockage of their airway, where it narrows enough to make breathing difficult. Some children will stop breathing dozens of times each night, without the parents even realizing what’s going on.

Pediatric sleep apnea is most common between ages 2 and 6. But it can occur at any age.

The most common cause of childhood sleep apnea is enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Other reasons include obesity, craniofacial abnormalities, and neuromuscular conditions like cerebral palsy or Down syndrome.

If your child needs effective sleep apnea treatment online, then the first step is getting an accurate diagnosis. The correct treatment approach will depend on the cause of breathing problems, as well as the severity of the condition.

Warning Signs Parents Should Know

Sleep apnea symptoms can be sneaky in children.

Many parents don’t even realize their child has the condition. They just assume their child is really energetic, or going through a phase.

Nighttime Symptoms

The most obvious symptom is loud snoring.

If your child snores and you can hear it from the next room, then this is a huge red flag. It’s not normal for children to snore.

Other sleep apnea symptoms at night include:

• Gasping or choking sounds during sleep
• Pauses in breathing
• Restless sleep with tossing and turning
• Sleeping in unusual positions (head and neck extended, feet in the air)
• Bedwetting after previously being dry at night

Daytime Symptoms

Symptoms of sleep apnea in children are completely different than adults. Adults feel super sleepy. Kids? They become hyperactive.

Some of the most common daytime warning signs include:

• Behavioral problems (aggression, irritability)
• Attention problems at school
• Declining academic performance
• Headaches in the morning
• Mouth breathing during the day
• Difficulty waking up in the morning

Many children with sleep apnea get misdiagnosed with ADHD. The behavioral symptoms look the same, but the root causes are completely different.

Bottom line, if your child snores regularly and displays some of these symptoms, talk to their doctor.

How Doctors Diagnose Sleep Apnea

Pediatric sleep apnea diagnosis starts with a thorough evaluation.

Doctors will take a detailed history of the child’s symptoms and sleep habits, as well as perform a physical exam to check for enlarged tonsils and adenoids. They may also look for facial or jaw abnormalities that could be blocking airways.

The gold standard test for diagnosing sleep apnea is polysomnography, also called a sleep study.

During a sleep study, technicians place painless sensors on your child to monitor:

• Brain activity
• Breathing patterns
• Heart rate and oxygen levels
• Muscle activity

These sensors allow doctors to observe what happens during sleep, showing exactly how many times your child stops breathing during the night. In children, even one obstructive event per hour is enough to be considered sleep apnea.

Sleep studies are done overnight in a specialized pediatric sleep lab. Home sleep tests and overnight oximetry are also available that measure oxygen levels at home.

Getting an accurate diagnosis is so critical, because it determines which treatment approach will work best.

Treatment Options That Actually Work

The most common treatment for pediatric sleep apnea? Surgery.

Specifically, adenotonsillectomy, which is a procedure where the doctor removes the tonsils and adenoids. This is the most common treatment approach for most kids, as enlarged tonsils and adenoids are usually the problem.

Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy are typically done as an outpatient procedure. Kids can go home the same day of surgery and recovery is fairly quick.

But surgery isn’t the only treatment. There are other options…

CPAP Therapy

CPAP machines deliver a gentle flow of air through a mask worn during sleep. This helps keep airways open during the night.

CPAP is effective for children who aren’t candidates for surgery, who still have symptoms after surgery, or who have sleep apnea due to obesity or other medical conditions.

The only challenge is getting children to wear the mask each night. It’s not easy, but it can be done with patience and practice.

Weight Loss

Overweight children with sleep apnea may see huge improvements through weight loss. It can even eliminate the condition.

But weight loss requires dietary changes, regular exercise, and the whole family to commit to healthier habits.

Other Treatments

Depending on the cause of pediatric sleep apnea, the doctor may also recommend orthodontic devices to reposition the jaw, medications in some cases, or positional therapy.

The right treatment depends on what’s causing your child’s sleep apnea, as well as how severe it is.

Why Early Treatment Matters

Untreated sleep apnea affects more than just your child’s sleep.

It has serious impacts on their entire life.

Children who go without proper sleep apnea treatment experience significant consequences. Sleep is so critical to brain development. Learning disabilities and memory problems can occur.

Behavioral issues get worse. Children become more hyperactive, aggressive, or withdrawn. School performance drops because they can’t focus.

Growth can even be stunted. Growth hormone is released during deep sleep and sleep apnea cuts into this time.

Long-term health risks include:

• Cardiovascular problems
• High blood pressure
• Metabolic issues
• Depression and anxiety

The longer sleep apnea goes without treatment, the more at risk your child is of permanent complications.

That’s why early diagnosis and treatment is so important.

The Bottom Line

Pediatric sleep apnea is a lot more common than parents realize. If your child snores regularly and shows signs of poor sleep or daytime problems, don’t ignore it.

Talk to their doctor. Get an evaluation. And if your child is diagnosed, start treatment as early as possible.

With the right treatment — whether that’s surgery, CPAP, weight loss, or a combination of treatments — most children see dramatic improvements. Better sleep means better behavior, better grades, and overall health.

Your child deserves to sleep soundly at night and wake up refreshed. Don’t let snoring or other sleep issues stop you from giving them this gift.