What You Need to Know: Children With Sleep Apnea in Burlington & Oakville, Ontario

Causes Of Sleep Apnea in Children

Much like adults, children face sleep apnea due to risk factors like excess weight and a family history of sleep apnea. However, muscle and skeletal development also play a role in increasing a child’s risk of developing sleep apnea. Childrens’ jaws and mouths are still developing, so factors, including enlarged tonsils or adenoids, jaw size, and tooth position can increase the likelihood a child will suffer from pediatric sleep apnea.

Certain medical conditions, including Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy, can increase a child’s risk of developing sleep apnea.

Is it common for children to have sleep apnea?

While older people are at a higher risk for sleep apnea, nobody is immune from a sleep disorder. A small percentage of children do suffer from sleep apnea. While some children grow out of it, others will end up with sleep apnea for life unless they seek treatment. 

If you feel your child may be suffering from sleep apnea, contact our Ontario office by calling (905)-257-3368 and we’ll be more than happy to schedule an appointment for your child with Dr. Ralhan.

Sleep Apnea Symptoms To Look For

Just as sleep apnea is difficult to diagnose in adults, identifying sleep apnea in children is also challenging. Kids often have a hard time expressing what is wrong and in many instances, the symptoms are misdiagnosed as ADD or ADHD. Knowing how sleep apnea affects children’s daily life is important in helping your child get the care they need as soon as possible.
Symptoms of pediatric sleep apnea that we encourage parents to look out for include:

• Deep snoring with pauses and snorts
• Heavy breathing when sleeping
• Bedwetting
• Restless sleep and/or sleeping in unusual positions, often with the neck extended.
• Daytime sleepiness and difficulty focusing on school or behavioral problems

In school-age children with sleep apnea, daytime fatigue can be misinterpreted as disruptive behavior in school or daydreaming. If your child’s teacher brings up these behaviors, we recommend bringing them for a sleep apnea evaluation.

How do I know if my child has sleep apnea?

One of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea in children is snoring. Kids with sleep apnea may also toss and turn throughout the night as well as stop breathing for long periods of time. Not all children end up suffering from sleep apnea throughout their whole lives, but the immediate impacts can be significant, so make sure to address the problem as soon as possible.

If you have any concerns about your child’s possibility of developing a sleep disorder, call our office at (905)-257-3368 and we’ll schedule a consultation for your child with Dr. Ralhan.

What are my Child’s Sleep Apnea Treatment Options?

Getting the appropriate treatment early on is the best method of managing your child’s sleep apnea. In most instances, your child will be able to use a CPAP machine with an appropriately sized mask. Given the long-term health consequences of childhood sleep apnea, it’s important that parents also explore more comprehensive treatment solutions. If your child’s OSA is the result of a jaw that is too small, our Ontario dentists will work with your child’s orthodontist to form a treatment plan. Diet changes and exercise may also be recommended to help treat the underlying causes of sleep apnea. If tonsil size is the leading cause of sleep apnea, your child’s physician may recommend removal.