Does your child snore?

Did you know that as high as 20% or 1 in 5 children snore nightly and 30% or more snore occasionally?

This may be caused by:

• nasal congestion
• blocked nose
• allergic rhinitis
• enlarged adenoid
• enlarged tonsils

CHILDREN WHO SNORE OR STRUGGLE TO BREATHE WHILE SLEEPING MAY SUFFER FROM OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA (OSA).

In these cases you may hear a snort or gasp for air as they snore and their chest may appear to "suck in". OSA is described as cessation of breathing while asleep. The stoppages in breathing are usually caused by the airway being partially or completely collapsed during sleep.

How do I know if my child’s snoring is serious?

Children with OSAS will typically experience some difficulty sleeping at night and behavioral problems during the day. Undiagnosed OSA has physical, mental and social impact on the child. The child may encounter problems in school; poor school results, delayed growth and development, and even heart failure.

Children who have sleep apnea may seem sluggish and may perform poorly in school. Sometimes they are labeled "slow", "lazy", or children with "learning problems".

Because some of these symptoms are similar to those described in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), some children are misdiagnosed as having ADHD when they are actually suffering from OSA. These can be treated and patients will recover well.

How do I know my child has Sleep Apnea?

For most children with OSA who have enlarged tonsils and adenoids, treatment is curative with an adeno-tonsillectomy.

1. Frequent loud snoring
2. Short periods of stoppages in breathing during the night
3. Difficulty waking up, even though it seems that he/she has had adequate sleep
4. Headaches in the morning, or often during the day
5. Falling asleep or excessive daydreaming
6. Irritable, aggressive
7. Poor school results, performance

OSA Snoring Treatment

For most children with OSA who have enlarged tonsils and adenoids, treatment is curative with an adeno-tonsillectomy.

Children with allergic rhinitis are also treated aggressively with allergen avoidance, topical nasal steroid sprays and antihistamines (if necessary).