![]() You may wish to make a video recording of your child sleeping to show your doctor.Īs untreated sleep apnoea can have an impact on the way your child develops and grows, it is vitally important to treat this condition. If your child is experiencing symptoms that suggest sleep apnoea, even if it is just irritability or fatigue and poor sleep, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. What should I do if my child has sleep apnoea? If your child has obstructive apnoea due to enlarged tonsils or adenoids, in most cases surgery will cure the apnoea. If your child is experiencing sleep apnoea due to their weight, which is usually more common in adults, then your doctor will probably recommend seeing a dietitian and increasing exercise levels to manage this. Children can also grow out of sleep apnoea, so your doctor may want to wait before taking any decisive action. The choice of treatment will depend on the type of apnoea your child has. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, which keeps the airway open overnight with a continuous flow of air through a mask.Your doctor might recommend treatment such as: It is important to monitor sleep apnoea in children to prevent long-term problems. An alternative is at-home oximetry testing, but it may not give a clear diagnosis, and a sleep study might still be required. Sensors will be used to track your child’s heart rate, breathing, oxygen and brain activity during sleep. They may order a sleep study to monitor your child overnight. For a proper diagnosis, your doctor will probably recommend you see an ENT specialist. This is because symptoms are often more subtle in children and they may not be able to explain how they feel. Treating sleep apnoeaĭiagnosing sleep apnoea in children is more difficult than in adults. Sleep apnoea also runs in families, so if you suffer from sleep apnoea, your children may be more at risk. The shape of your jaw and bone structure can also play a role. Excess upper airway tissue and fat and poor muscle tone results in blockage and obstruction of the upper airway during sleep, leading to snoring and sleep apnoea. Obstructive sleep apnoea is more common in adults than in children and is worsened by obesity. Premature babies are more likely to suffer central sleep apnoea, as well as infants with heart problems, congenital anomalies, or those taking certain medications. Obstructive apnoea can also be caused by a lack of muscle tone in children with Down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy, or similar conditions, as the throat muscles collapse more easily.Ĭentral sleep apnoea, where your brain does not signal your body to breathe properly, is usually caused by an underlying medical condition. This prevents regular smooth breathing and results in long pauses between breaths. The excess tissue can block your child’s airway. ![]() Swollen or enlarged tonsils and adenoids usually cause obstructive sleep apnoea. Paediatric sleep apnoea is also associated with heart problems, high blood pressure and childhood obesity, and can have an impact on brain function and intelligence. Due to reduced oxygen intake through the night, children can experience growth or developmental delays in severe cases. It can also cause hyperactivity and mood swings. Fatigue can lead to poor concentration and the inability to function during the day. Over time, sleep apnoea can have significant effects on your child. Very young children (under 2 years old) are unlikely to snore, which makes it harder to pinpoint sleep apnoea in this age group.
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