subject: Understanding sleep apnea in children [print this page] Understanding sleep apnea in children Understanding sleep apnea in children
Sleep apnea in children often goes unrecognized or is mistaken for other problems. Adults with sleep apnea frequently suffer from a feeling of excessive sleepiness (also called hyper-somnolence). However, this is not typically seen in young children or toddlers.
Instead, sleep apnea in children may show up as a feeling of being overly tired rather than sleepy. It can also manifest as hyperactivity.
There are other differences between adults and children who have this health condition. Adults with apnea tend to be heavy and have fat, short necks (this is not necessarily so in all cases). In contrast, toddlers and young children with sleep apnea are generally thin. They may show slower growth as compared to other children of the same age.
Sleep apnea in children can affect growth for a couple of reasons. Obstruction to normal breathing makes the body work a lot harder to maintain a normal breathing rate. This burns up calories at a much higher rate than usual, even when the child is resting. Secondly, obstructions in the throat and the nose can make it difficult for the child to swallow food. Food may also tend to be perceived as tasteless, which adds to the problem.
In children, the main causes of obstructive sleep apnea are blockages created by the adenoids and tonsils. An adenoidectomy or a tonsillectomy will usually cure the problem. Adults, however, may require removal of excess tissue at the back of the throat in a procedure called uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (abbreviated UPPP). They may sometimes need to correct a misaligned nasal septum with surgery.
Surgery in both adults and children is most effective when it is tailored to the individual's specific obstructive problem and anatomical peculiarities.
In young children, there may be a noticeable inward movement of the chest when the child is breathing during sleep. They often show difficulties in concentrating on studies and have memory problems as well as learning issues.
Other symptoms in children with sleep apnea include dryness in the mouth (which results from sleeping with the mouth open in an attempt to keep breathing), infections of the upper respiratory tract, bedwetting, developmental issues, nightmares, cardiac problems and elevated blood pressure. Children may also show frustration as a result of their poor performance at school. In some cases, this can lead to depression. Poor interpersonal skills and stunted personality development may result from apnea.
Sleep apnea in children can also cause nocturia, which is a name given to the habit of urinating frequently at night. Excess sweating at night has also been linked to episodes of apnea.
Currently, it is not known if there is a threshold for a 'safe' number of apnea episodes. In other words, the number of episodes per night above which serious health issues like heart problems, lung failure, etc can result. Additional research is needed to uncover this threshold, if it exists. Many adults with sleep apnea who have heart and lung problems also have underlying conditions like obstructive lung disease, which can be the result of obesity, asthma or smoking.
In both children and adults, those with central sleep apnea tend to have a worse prognosis as compared to those with obstructive sleep apnea. Patients with central apnea may be in need of prolonged ventilation, which can lead to many other health complications.
Apnea can also be caused by excess weight - this is true in both adults and children. This suggests that along with surgery and other interventions, it is necessary to adopt a better, healthier lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and regular exercise to truly contain the problem. Sleep apnea in children can cause significant deterioration in the child's health and quality of life if it is neglected.
