Pediatric Sleep Apnea
Pediatric Sleep Apnea
Is your child drowsy during the day with no explanation? Does your child snore loudly? Does your child sleep in odd positions? Does your child have behavioral problems, such as performing poorly in school, having trouble paying attention, or having learning problems? Does your child have issues with bed-wetting?
What is pediatric obstructive sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. The pauses may be infrequent or every couple of minutes or even more often. Breathing between pauses is also shallow. After a pause, normal breathing resumes but is sometimes accompanied by a loud snort or a choking sound.
There are several types of sleep apnea, but the most common is obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs more frequently than you might think.
Obstructive sleep apnea is estimated to effect 3 to 6 percent of children and is associated with narrowing of the airways. This can happen multiple times in the night, and results in significant sleep disruption. A common consequence is problems paying attention the next day. Some children might also be sleepy, while others will be hyperactive
While pediatric obstructive apnea is similar to the adult kind of obstructive sleep apnea, there are a few differences. For instance, children typically experience a partially narrowed airway, whereas for adults, the airway is usually completely blocked.
What are the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea in a child
Symptoms of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea include:
Snoring, often with pauses, snorts or gasps between breaths
Heavy breathing while sleeping
Extremely restless sleep
Bedwetting (especially if a child previously stayed dry at night)
Sleeping in odd positions
Daytime sleepiness or behavioral problems
Difficulty paying attention at school, and leaning problems
If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms give our office a call for a Free evaluation 320-460-8400