Sleep apnea is when a child stops breathing during sleep. It usually happens because of a blockage, or obstruction, in the upper airway. For this reason, it is also called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
When your child stops breathing during sleep, the oxygen levels in the body fall and the levels of carbon dioxide rise. This triggers the brain to wake up to breathe. Usually, this only takes a moment, and your child goes back to sleep without realizing they woke up. But this pattern of waking can continue all night, and your child may not ever reach a deeper level of sleep. This may leave them feeling tired and unrested the next day.
If not treated, OSA can lead to problems with growth, learning, behavior, and can even cause heart problems.
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What are the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea?
Some common symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Snoring that can include snorts or gasps
- Heavy breathing during sleep
- Short periods of not breathing during sleep
- Bedwetting
- Restless sleep or sleeping in unusual positions
- Daytime sleepiness or behavior problems
- Sleepwalking or night terrors
- Behavior problems, crankiness, hyperactivity or having trouble paying attention
What causes sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea in children is most commonly caused by enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids in the back of the throat and nose. During sleep, the muscles relax and the tonsils and adenoids can block the airway.
Other things can contribute to sleep apnea include:
- Being overweight
- Certain medical conditions, such as craniofacial syndromes, cerebral palsy or Down syndrome
- A family history of sleep apnea
- Having a small jaw
How is sleep apnea treated?
The treatment for your child’s sleep apnea depends on the cause. These include both non-surgical and surgical options.
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. This involves wearing a mask during sleep that covers either just the nose or the nose and mouth. It is connected to a machine that pumps air to open the airways.
- Diet changes and other weight-loss methods to lose excess weight.
- Removing the tonsils (tonsillectomy)
- Removing the adenoids (adenotonsillectomy)
- Surgery to correct craniofacial conditions
Doctors at Connecticut Children’s can determine the right plan if your child requires treatment for sleep apnea.