Yes, Children Can Have Sleep Apnea. There are Solutions.

sleep apnea

Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleeping disorder in which the breathing of your child is blocked over and over again during sleep. It is because of the upper tract being narrowed or blocked in sleep.

Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea and adult sleep apnea differ. While adults are generally sleepy during the day, kids are more likely to have behavioral issues. Obesity is often the underlying cause in adults, whereas the most prevalent underlying cause in kids is the enlargement of adenoids and tonsils.

Early diagnosis and therapy by a pediatric ENT specialist in Oklahoma are essential in order to avoid complications that may impact the growth, cognitive development and conduct of children.

Does Your Child Have Sleep Apnea?

Your kid may have sleep apnea if you have observed him or her struggling with breathing. Other symptoms include irritability, daytime drowsiness, hyperactivity triggered by absence of sleep, and bedwetting.

If your child is obese, or abnormalities in the jaw or tongue, he/she might have more risk of sleep apnea. Children suffering from cerebral palsy are also at greater risk of sleep apnea.

Sleep Apnea Causes

Obesity is a prevalent factor of obstructive sleep apnea in adults. But in kids, enlarged tonsils and adenoids are the most prevalent disorder leading to obstructive sleep apnea. In kids, though, obesity is also a factor. Craniofacial anomalies as well as neuromuscular disorders may be other underlying factors.

When it is not treated, children can face these problems:

  • Learning issues and poor academic performance due to lack of sleep.

  • Lack of growth as OSA impedes growth hormones.

  • The body becomes insulin resistant.

  • Children may get risks of cardiovascular issues and high blood pressure.

  • Fatigue leading to less physical activity.

OSA or Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment

Often, OSA is caused by enlarged tonsils or adenoids. If so, they must be removed. This is a very prevalent therapy for pediatric sleep apnea and is why pediatric ENT specialists in Oklahoma are uniquely qualified to treat it.

According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, there are more than 500,000 pediatric adenoid and tonsil extraction operations each year, and the majority are conducted to correct sleep apnea problems.

When to Visit a Doctor?

Make an appointment with our pediatric ENT specialist in Oklahoma if your child is tired and has behavioral problems or with waking up regularly in the morning. Visit OKOA for a quick appointment.

**Disclaimer: The information on this page is not intended to be a doctor's advice, nor does it create any form of patient-doctor relationship.

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