Sleep is essential for children’s learning and development. Good sleep can have a positive impact on their social, emotional, and physical development. Alternatively, poor sleep can have a negative impact on their well-being. One unfortunate cause of negative impacts on children’s sleep is pediatric sleep apnea. When a person has sleep apnea, they repeatedly stop and start breathing throughout the night. Sleep apnea in children is relatively rare, affecting only a small percentage of children. Parental support plays a crucial role in ensuring children receive the care they need. Improving the outcomes for children with sleep apnea is crucial to ensuring they lead a healthy life. Below, you will find a parent’s guide to pediatric sleep apnea that will help you ensure your child gets the best sleep possible.
A Parent’s Guide to Pediatric Sleep Apnea
Research shows that early parental involvement and support are essential. In fact, parents have a serious impact on the recovery and treatment outcomes of their children. Early intervention is key as treatment for pediatric sleep disorders can improve the condition tremendously. Knowing what to look out for and how to better support your child is a continual learning process.
What Is Pediatric Sleep Apnea?
So many people associate sleep apnea with people who are older and overweight. However, it can impact people of all ages and sizes. Pediatric sleep apnea is a condition that causes a child’s breathing to stop and start during sleep. Pauses in breathing can occur at any time during the night. They can happen multiple times for various lengths of time. Most cases of sleep apnea in children are caused by blocked airways. Airways become blocked when the muscles in the throat relax too much or due to the shape of the child’s airway. It can also be due to enlarged tonsils or adenoids.
The condition is serious and requires intervention from a sleep specialist. When breathing pauses during sleep, oxygen levels in the blood drop. Subsequently, this may force the child to wake up and consciously resume breathing. The continuous interruptions in sleep prevent deep restful and restorative sleep. In turn, this can lead to behavior issues, daytime fatigue, and other serious health risks. Addressing the issue promptly is crucial, as treatment is necessary.
Types of Pediatric Sleep Apnea
There are two primary types of pediatric sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Both types cause breathing to repeatedly stop and start throughout the night. Understanding which type of sleep apnea your child has is important. Consider the unique differences between obstructive and central sleep apnea.
Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea among children. It occurs when the upper airway is blocked. The blockage makes it harder for the child to breathe normally as they sleep. The blockage is usually in the throat or the nose. When the airway is blocked, the child’s breathing may become shallow, loud, or stop for a few seconds. The body quickly senses the lack of air and causes the child to wake up. The constant waking during the night prevents deep sleep.
Pediatric Central Sleep Apnea
Central Sleep Apnea in children occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to the body during sleep. Specifically, the brain is unable to send consistent signals to the respiratory muscles that control breathing. Unlike obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea does not involve blockage of the airways. The fact that central sleep apnea has a neurological, rather than physical, case makes treating it more complex than its counterpart. Central sleep apnea is more common in infants and can be a sign of other underlying health issues that parents should be aware of.
Causes of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children
There are several causes of obstructive sleep apnea in children.
Obesity
Obesity increases the risk of obstructive sleep apnea in children. Extra fat around the neck and throat can put pressure on the airway. This increases the likelihood that the airway will collapse during sleep. Children with obesity often have lower muscle tone in the throat. This can worsen breathing issues at night.
Enlarged Tonsils or Adenoids
Enlarged tonsils and adenoids are a common cause of obstructive sleep apnea in children. Tonsils and adenoids are soft tissues in the back of the throat. They can grow large enough to block the airway during sleep. If this occurs, air cannot easily pass through the child’s airways. This leads to snoring and pauses in breathing during sleep.
Structural Issues
Some children are born with smaller airways or bone structures that make breathing more difficult. Structural differences, such as a small lower jaw or high-arched palate, can block the airways during sleep.
Causes of Central Sleep Apnea in Children
There are several causes of central sleep apnea in children.
Premature Birth
Premature babies generally have underdeveloped breathing control systems. When born early, their brains may not fully regulate the muscles needed for consistent breathing. This can lead to breathing interruptions when they sleep. In many cases, premature babies outgrow central sleep apnea, but it does require treatment.
Heart Conditions
In some cases, heart issues can contribute to the development of central sleep apnea. Heart conditions that impact blood flow, oxygen levels, or the body’s chemical balance can impact breathing. The issues often disrupt the signals that tell the body to breathe during sleep. Managing underlying conditions can reduce the risk of sleep-related breathing issues.
Neurological Conditions
Certain neurological conditions can affect the brain’s ability to regulate breathing. Common conditions include brain injuries, tumors, or genetic disorders. These can interfere with normal breathing signals. When this occurs, sleep can be disrupted by pauses or irregular breathing.
Signs and Symptoms of Pediatric Sleep Apnea
Pediatric sleep apnea can manifest in various ways. There are several signs and symptoms that indicate your child may have pediatric sleep apnea. Prompt treatment is necessary if your child experiences any of the following symptoms.
Loud Snoring
Loud snoring is one of the most common signs of sleep apnea in children. Snoring may sound uneven and have pauses, gasps, or snorts. Parents may notice their child stop breathing and then gasping for air a few seconds later.
Pauses in Breathing
Children with pediatric sleep apnea often have repeated pauses in breathing throughout the night. The pauses can vary in length, ranging from a few seconds to longer. The pauses can occur several times per hour. Sometimes, pauses in breathing may not be clear. However, if you notice your child tossing and turning at night, it could be related to their breathing.
Poor Sleep
Many children with sleep apnea are restless sleepers. Moving around a lot at night can affect the quality of sleep a child gets. This includes kicking, twisting, or turning in bed. If your child looks uncomfortable when they sleep or wakes up in unusual positions, it can be a sign of pediatric sleep apnea. It is often due to the child trying to find positions that allow them to breathe more easily.
Daytime Fatigue
If you notice your child is tired during the day, even after a good night’s sleep, it could be a sign of pediatric sleep apnea. Even when a child gets the right amount of sleep, consistent disruptions impact the quality of sleep. Daytime fatigue due to sleep apnea can also lead to issues in school.
Behavioral Issues
Children with sleep apnea often experience behavioral issues. This may include hyperactivity, trouble focusing, or mood swings. These symptoms are similar to children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The conditions can often be confused, so it is important to work with a sleep specialist if you suspect your child has behavioral issues related to their sleep.
Dry Mouth
Children with sleep apnea often breathe through their mouths while sleeping because their noses may be blocked or their airway is narrowed. Sleeping this way can cause dry mouth, cracked lips, and a sore throat in the morning. Mouth breathing in the long term is unhealthy, as it can lead to dental problems and negatively impact facial growth.
Treatment for Pediatric Sleep Apnea
Each child is uniquely different, so it is important to work with a skilled and experienced sleep specialist. They can assess your child’s symptoms. From there, they can create a customized treatment plan based on their unique needs. Below are some of the common treatment options for pediatric sleep apnea.
Oral Appliances
Some children benefit from custom-made oral appliances. Oral appliances can gently reposition the lower jaw or tongue, keeping the airways open during sleep. This is a highly effective option for children with mild sleep apnea. The oral appliances must be fitted by a trained sleep specialist to the child.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy
Some children require a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. This is an effective option if surgery is not necessary. It may also be necessary if their sleep apnea continues after surgical intervention. A CPAP machine gently blows air through a mask. The mask is worn over the nose or mouth to keep the airway open during sleep. Children may initially be resistant to the treatment. However, consistent use often helps them feel better. This is a great motivator to continue using it.
Surgical Intervention
Surgery is necessary if the main cause of the child’s sleep apnea is enlarged tonsils or adenoids. A tonsillectomy is performed to remove enlarged tonsils. An adenoidectomy is used to remove enlarged adenoids. Each surgery removes the swollen tissue that blocks the airway during sleep. Removing the tissue can dramatically improve or even cure p ediatric sleep apnea, as it is a highly effective procedure.
Diagnosis of Sleep Apnea
If you think your child may have sleep apnea, it is essential to seek treatment from a sleep specialist. Early intervention is key as treatment can drastically improve the condition. Before your appointment, keep a diary of your child’s symptoms. This is helpful information for the sleep specialist. During the appointment, the sleep specialist will review the symptoms and your child’s medical history. They will also perform a physical examination of your child’s airway.
In addition to a physical assessment, a sleep study is the most reliable way to diagnose pediatric sleep apnea. An overnight sleep study is referred to as polysomnography. This is often done at a sleep center or hospital where the child stays overnight. Small sensors are placed on the child’s head, face, chest, and legs. These track the child’s breathing patterns, heart rate, oxygen levels, brain activity, and eye and muscle movement. This information helps doctors confirm whether the issue is sleep apnea, determine the type of sleep apnea it may be, and assess the severity of the condition.
Additional tests may be necessary if the sleep specialist suspects the sleep issues are related to another condition. Heart function tests, allergy tests, genetic testing, neurological testing, and X-rays can help with the child’s diagnosis. Finding the root cause of the sleep issues is essential for the child’s overall health and well-being. Once the issue has been properly diagnosed, a customized treatment plan is created to meet the unique needs of the child. Regular check-ups are necessary for the sleep specialist to monitor their progress.
Outcomes From Pediatric Sleep Apnea Treatment
The right treatment plan can offer so many benefits to your child. Parents notice the following outcomes once either child is on an effective pediatric sleep apnea treatment plan.
Improved Sleep Quality
The right treatment helps your child breathe so much easier at night. This results in deeper, restful sleep without any interruptions. This allows your child’s body and brain to get restorative rest each night.
Behavioral Improvements
A good night’s rest can do wonders for your child’s behavior. Effective treatment often results in better behaviors and fewer mood swings. This can lead to academic improvements if they are in school as well.
More Daytime Energy
Children who do not get a good night’s sleep often experience daytime fatigue. After treatment, children may feel more awake, active, and energized during the day. This can improve their social and emotional development dramatically.
Treatment for Pediatric Sleep Disorders
If you think your child may have sleep apnea, contact the team at Sleep MD today to schedule an appointment!
