Patients Overview Children and Sleep
Sleep Disorders // Sleep Apnea // Children and Sleep// OSA Treatment Options

What Is Childhood Sleep Apnea?

Childhood obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a condition in which a child has a partial or complete airway obstruction during sleep, often associated with loud snoring and breathing pauses. This condition occurs in 1 to 3 percent of otherwise healthy pre-school children1. OSA is most prevalent in children ages 2 to 5 years old, but can also occur in infants and adolescents.
Daytime symptoms for these children may be subtle, such as, hyperactivity, trouble concentrating, poor school performance, daytime sleepiness, or fatigue. OSA can also cause poor growth in children.

Children at Risk of OSA
•    Children with the following characteristics have a higher risk for OSA:
•    Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
•    Chronic allergies or sinusitis
•    Enlarged tongue
•    Small jaw
•    Deviated nasal septum
•    Obesity

Sleep Apnea Statistics
•    Approximately 10-12% of children snore during sleep; 20-30% of them have OSA.2
•    According to the American Academy of Pediatrics: “All children who snore should have an overnight sleep test to rule out OSA.”
•    Sleep deprivation or fragmentation can cause disorders during the daytime that may mimic ADD or ADHD.
•    Children frequently get insufficient sleep, and OSA can worsen this problem.

Sleep Apnea Diagnosis

A sleep test requires an overnight study performed in a professional sleep center. This test is a non-invasive procedure that will monitor the following areas during sleep:
•     Brain waves
•     Eye movements
•     Muscle movements
•     Heart rate
•     Leg movements
•     Breathing patterns and noise
•    Oxygen levels
•    CO2 levels

After your child’s overnight stay, the sleep physician will interpret the data collected and, if necessary, discuss management options with the family.

Childhood sleep apnea can be treated.
Your physician will recommend the best treatment plan for your child. The most common treatments are the following:
•    Tonsillectomy
•    Adenoidectomy
•    Weight loss
•    CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)




What Steps Should You Take?

A full night of restful sleep is important for the body to repair cells, strengthen the immune system, and sharpen mental functions.


To make sure your child is getting quality sleep:
•    Set up a consistent bedtime schedule.
•    Make your child’s bedroom a place for sleep: no TV, computers, or video games.
•    Avoid caffeine.
•    Get adequate exercise.

As a parent, your first line of defense in protecting your child’s health is your own power of observation. By observing your child's breathing during sleep, you can provide information to your doctor which can prove invaluable. In addition, observing your child's daytime activities may also indicate a nighttime condition.

If you are concerned about your child's breathing or snoring during sleep, or changes in daytime behavior or performance, your next step should be to consult your primary care physician. He or she will be able to begin the process of having your child evaluated and tested.

References
1 Rosen CL., Sleep 1996
2 Sun Jung Chang et al, Korean Journal of Pediatrics 2010