Symptoms of Sleep Apnea In Children
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea, also known as obstructive sleep apnea, is a serious disorder in which there are pauses in breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea is generally thought of as a disorder that occurs in adults, but children often experience it. For some children, like Stevie, apnea is serious, and the parents, while aware of the problem, don’t know where to turn for help. In many instances, however, the parents aren’t even aware that their child has sleep apnea and do not seek medical help.
There are a number of symptoms to look for that is common in children with sleep apnea. Some children will have most of these symptoms, whereas others may have only one or two.
- Snoring. Almost all children and adults who have sleep apnea snore. However, it is important to realize that not all children who snore have sleep apnea. Children with sleep apnea usually snore loudly, and most of the time (not just when they have a cold).
- Breathing pauses. Breathing pauses are the hallmark of sleep apnea. Rather than breathing in an even and consistent manner, your child may stop breathing for a few moments and then start breathing again. If you observe this behavior, it is almost certain that your child has sleep apnea.
- Difficulty breathing while sleeping. Rather than observing breathing pauses, you may notice that your child seems to have difficulty breathing while asleep. His breathing may not appear regular and even, or he may be a noisy breather.
- Mouth breathing. Most children with obstructive sleep apnea breathe through their mouths at night and often during the day as well.
- Coughing or choking. If your child frequently starts coughing or choking in his sleep, this may be a sign of a breathing problem.
- Restless sleep. Many children with sleep apnea are rest-less sleepers. Each time they have a breathing pause they will arouse and move.
- Sleeping in unusual positions. Some children with sleep apnea sleep in an unusual position, for example, with their head hanging over the side of the bed or with their head raised on several pillows or on stuffed animals. They do this unconsciously to try to keep their airway open to help them breathe while asleep.
- Sweating. Many children with sleep apnea sweat profusely while they sleep. The reasons for this are unclear, but it may be because the body has to work hard to breathe during sleep.
- Nightmares or sleep terrors. Children with sleep apnea may be more prone to these two sleep problems. The next chapter discusses both nightmares and sleep terrors.
- Night wakings. Frequent night wakings in infants and toddlers are usually related to sleep associations, as discussed in earlier chapters. However, some children’s night wakings are caused by sleep apnea. If your child has other symptoms discussed in this chapter and awakens at night, it is worth considering whether or not your child has sleep apnea. Remember, though, that although his waking may be caused by the sleep apnea, he should be able to fall back to sleep on his own. If he does not, be sure also to consider a sleep association problem.
April 24th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Hi,
Is R.E.M link to sleep apnea? Who is the potential to have sleep apnea?
December 22nd, 2009 at 4:33 am
please help me my son Heinz stops breathing while he sleeps. I’m so scared I could not go to sleep most of the time because i have to wake him a little for him to breathe again.. what do I do?? Is there a treatment?? what can i do to help him sleep better?? He’s doctor said it’s normal for kids to stop breathing sometimes when they sleep but it really scares me.. I’m hoping you could give me an advice.. thanks…
December 22nd, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Hi niccah
Prolonged breath holding can be a sign of acid reflux in infants from the stomach, a sleep disorde, and seizures. I would recommend going to one of the academic sleep centers for a second opinion. They may be able to perform a sleep study, video/EEG (brian wave) monitoring, and he may need to have a brain scan.
December 22nd, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Hi niccah, I know your frustration. My son also used to stop breathing in his sleep. When he was about 2 or 3 months old I just happened to check on him in the middle of the night and he was blue. When I grbbed him out of the crib he started breathing. He was taken to the hospital where they did a sleep study on him and found that he had sleep apnea. They sent him home with an apnea moniter. We would hook him up to it at nap time and also bedtime. When he would stop breathing it would alarm. We would just gently pat him and call his name, that would be enough to start him breathing again. By the time he was about 18 months he out grew the sleep apnea. He is now a healthy 13 year old. I dont know if this is what your baby has. I hope that this helps you a little or gives you maybe some direction. I know it is very scary!
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May 23rd, 2010 at 2:43 pm
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June 10th, 2010 at 1:58 am
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