Sleep Apnea Sleep Apnea in Children

---

Sleep apnea can occur in people of any age, including in babies. Among children, it is most common between ages 2 and 8.

Some of the symptoms of sleep apnea in young children are similar to adults while others are different. During the day, you may notice that your child has:

• Behavioral problems, such as being overactive or aggressive
• Trouble paying attention at school
• Dry mouth or headaches in the morning
• Sleepiness

During the night, you may notice:

• Snoring
• Mouth breathing
• Breathing that starts and stops
• Waking up often
• Bedwetting

To get diagnosed for sleep apnea, your child will need to have a sleep study. Sleep studies help diagnose which type of sleep apnea your child has and how serious it is.

In addition, their healthcare provider will look in their nose and mouth for large tonsils or other structures that could be blocking the airway. The provider may also measure your child's blood oxygen levels overnight using pulse oximetry.

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea in both children and adults. In children, it is often caused by large tonsils or adenoids (tissue at the back of the nose). Obesity is also a common cause of sleep apnea in children. Other factors that raise children's risk for sleep apnea include:

• Down syndrome
• Cleft palate or other differences in the face or skull
• Neuromuscular disorders
• Tobacco smoke
• Premature birth

If your child has sleep apnea, keep them away from secondhand smoke, which can worsen their condition. If your child is overweight or has obesity, help them adopt healthy lifestyle changes to reach a healthy weight. Work with your child's healthcare provider to develop a plan.

Depending on the cause of your child's sleep apnea, their provider may recommend:

• Weight loss interventions, including diet and exercise
• Surgery to remove their tonsils and adenoids
• A PAP machine, such as a CPAP. When used long term, PAP treatment may affect the growth of your child's face.
• Nasal spray steroids, such as budesonide
• Montelukast, an asthma medicine. Montelukast can cause behavior and mood side effects, so contact your child's provider immediately if you notice any changes.
• Other surgeries to remove tissue from the upper airway
• Oral devices or orthodontic treatment
• Mouth and facial muscles exercises, called orofacial therapy
• Additional approaches to help your child lose weight, such as behavioral therapy or working with a weight loss specialist

Untreated sleep apnea in children can lead to problems with learning and memory, known as learning disabilities. Daytime sleepiness and fatigue that result from sleep apnea can also impact your child's behavior and their desire to be physically active. In addition, they may be at higher risk for:

• Impaired growth
• Poor academic performance
• High blood pressure, heart failure, or pulmonary hypertension
• Thinking and memory problems later in life

If your child has sleep apnea, continue healthy lifestyle changes and their treatment. If the treatment is not working, talk to their provider about other options.