You don’t usually think of sleep apnea as a problem for children. Most people associate sleep apnea with overweight adults. However, children can suffer from sleep apnea and ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctors can help.

Sleep apnea in children

Sleep apnea is not something to kid around with. During sleep apnea, breathing stops for at least 10 seconds at a time. This means your child’s blood is not properly oxygenated. Even when their body is at rest, your child is still growing and developing. Sleep apnea can interfere with growth, sleep and performance in school. Not only is learning impacted, but behavior can be affected as well.

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea in children. It occurs when something blocks or “obstructs” the airway while sleeping.

Less common is central sleep apnea. This apnea can be the result of an injury to the brain. Signals are not properly sent from the brain. This form of sleep apnea isn’t very common in children.

Risk factors for sleep apnea in children

Certain conditions make your child more prone to sleep apnea. These include:

Family history of sleep apnea
Overweight
Cerebral palsy
Down syndrome
Defects in the mouth or throat
Large tongue

Symptoms of sleep apnea in children

Some symptoms of sleep apnea are more obvious. These include:

Snoring or snorting
Heavy breathing while sleeping
Daytime sleepiness

Other symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea are not so obvious. These include trouble waking in the morning, behavior problems, bedwetting and attention problems.

If you suspect sleep apnea, make an appointment with your child’s ENT. If your child has not been seen by an ENT, ask your pediatrician for a referral. ENTs are specially trained to treat sleep apnea in adults and children.

ENT treatments for pediatric sleep apnea

The ENT will examine your child for possible causes of the obstruction. A sleep study may be ordered. If the ENT requests a sleep study, your child will spend the night in a special center where their breathing will be monitored while they sleep.

If your child is overweight, the ENT will recommend a diet and exercise program to help your child lose weight safely.

The most common reason for sleep apnea in children is an enlargement of the tonsils or adenoids. If the ENT determines that your child’s tonsils or adenoids are the cause of the obstruction surgical removal will be recommended.

Tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy can permanently correct pediatric sleep apnea. By removing the cause of the obstruction, the airways are open day and night. Studies show that 75 percent of children with sleep apnea will have a reduction of episodes within six months of surgery.

The ENT will perform the surgery in the hospital or at a surgical center. Recovery is usually within 10 to 14 days.

See the ENT for pediatric sleep apnea

If you suspect your child has sleep apnea, contact the ENT right away. Some ENTs specialize in pediatric services, but all ENTs are qualified to treat children.

You can ask your pediatrician for a referral or speak with your insurance carrier.

The ENT is the best medical professional to treat your child’s sleep apnea. Both you and your child will sleep better in the hands of a skilled ENT.