Pediatrics Common Questions, Quick Answers

Childhood Sleep Apnea

Donna D'Alessandro, M.D.
Lindsay Huth, B.A.
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed
Creation Date: January 2002
Last Revision Date: April 2002

• What is sleep apnea?
• What causes sleep apnea?
• Who can get sleep apnea?
• What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?
• How is sleep apnea diagnosed?
• How is sleep apnea treated?
• Can sleep apnea be prevented?
• When should I call the doctor?

What is sleep apnea?

• Sleep apnea is a breathing problem.
• It occurs when the upper airway is blocked during sleep.
• It causes pauses in breathing during sleep.
• It upsets normal sleep patterns.
• It is a serious condition that requires a doctor's treatment.

What causes sleep apnea?

• Some children have facial structures that narrow the airway and cause sleep apnea.
• Sleep apnea can also happen when the throat and tongue relax during sleep and partly block the airway.
• Sleep apnea can occur in overweight children if they have too much tissue in their airway, making it narrow.

Who can get sleep apnea?

• Both adults and children of all ages can have sleep apnea.
• It is most common between the ages of 3 and 6 years old.
• Some children are at higher risk. Overweight children, children with Down's syndrome, and children who have large tonsils are at higher risk.
• Snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea. But, not every child who snores has sleep apnea.
• Sleep apnea may run in families.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?
Symptoms may be mild, moderate, or severe. Children may not be aware of their symptoms. Parents often notice their child's symptoms and become concerned. They can include:

• Feeling tired during the day or not refreshed from sleep.
• Breathing pauses during sleep that last 3-20 seconds long.
• Snoring.
• Gasping or choking during sleep that may wake child up. The child may breathe fine during the day.
• Restless sleep.
• Irregular, heavy breathing.
• Sweating during sleep.
• Severe bedwetting.
• Bad dreams (child will remember) or night terrors (child will not remember).
• Sleeping with an open mouth.
• Chest pulling in with each breath during sleep.
• Sleeping in strange positions.
• Waking up confused.
• Morning headaches.
• High blood pressure.
• Overweight or underweight.
• Learning problems.
• Changes in behavior. May be irritable, depressed, or overly active.
• Difficulty concentrating. May have difficulty in school.
• Trouble staying awake during the day. Falling asleep at the wrong time (during class, for example).
• Gets respiratory infections often (such as colds and coughs).

Sleep apnea can lead to learning problems, developmental problems, behavior problems, and heart problems.

How is sleep apnea diagnosed?

• If you think your child has sleep apnea, she should be seen by a doctor.
• The doctor may take a sleep test to see what the problem is.
• The test is taken overnight. Computers record how your child's body acts during sleep. It is not painful.

How is sleep apnea treated?

• Treatment is different for each child.
• Sometimes, taking out the tonsils will help.
• Some treatments will have the child use a machine at night. The machine does not breathe for the child, like a respirator. The machine simply blows air into your child's airway so that it stays open wide and your child breathes on her own.
• If your child needs one of these machines, the doctor will teach you how to use it and take care of it.
• In some cases, losing weight will help.
• In very, very few childhood cases, a tracheostomy may be needed. In this surgery, a small hole is cut in the neck. A tube in the hole helps the child breathe.

Can sleep apnea be prevented?

• Sleep apnea cannot be prevented.

When should I call the doctor?

• Call the doctor if you are concerned about your child's sleep habits and behaviors.
• Call the doctor if you have questions about your child's condition.

Quick Answers

• Sleep apnea is a breathing problem that occurs when the upper airway is blocked during sleep.
• Sleep apnea happens when the throat and tongue relax during sleep and partly block the airway or when the airway is narrow.
• Children of all ages can have sleep apnea but it is most common between the ages of 3 and 6 years old.
• Symptoms can include sleeping with an open mouth, chest pulling in with each breath, sleeping in strange positions, having a headache in the morning, or feeling tired during the day.
• The doctor may take a sleep test to see if your child has sleep apnea.
• The problem can sometimes be fixed if the tonsils are taken out, if a machine is used to help breathing at night, or if the child loses weight.
• Sleep apnea can be life threatening if not treated.
• Sleep apnea can not be prevented.
• Call the doctor if you have questions or concerns.

References

• Goth, D MD. Lifeline: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome in Children. National University Hospital. (cited 2001 December 10). URL: http://www.nuh.com.sg/lifeline/1998/11980207.asp
• The Sleep Well. Childhood Sleep Apnea. 1999 March 24 (cited 2001 December 10). URL: http://www.stanford.edu/%7Edement/childapnea.html
• St. Joseph's Univeristy. Sleep Apnea. (cited 2001 December 10). URL: http://www.sju.edu/SLEEPING_THROUGH_THE_NIGHT/sleep_apnea.htm

See related Patient Topics Brain and Nervous System, Lungs and Breathing or Sleep Disorders.

See related Provider Topics Brain and Nervous System or Lungs and Breathing.

All contents copyright © 1992-2004 the Author(s) and The University of Iowa. All rights reserved.

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