Childhood Sleep Apnea Symptoms: Snoring, trouble sleeping, bedwetting, ADHD, and Behavior Problems

Childhood sleep apnea is more common than many people think. Although usually associated with adults, obstructive sleep apnea affects up to three percent of preschoolers. Childhood sleep apnea can cause ADHD-like symptoms, hyperactivity, and personality changes. In worst case scenarios, childhood sleep apnea can be life-threatening.

Any child can develop sleep apnea, but some ethnic groups appear to be at greater risk of apneas. African American children are three and a half time more likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea than Caucasian children. Boys and girls are equally likely to develop childhood sleep apnea, although by adulthood men are two times more likely than women to develop obstructive sleep apnea.

Causes and Treatment of Childhood Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea in children can result from conditions similar to adult sleep apnea causes, including obesity, physical abnormalities, and, in the case of central sleep apnea, neurological problems. In many cases, childhood sleep apnea treatment is identical to adult sleep apnea treatment options.

For many children, however, symptoms of sleep apnea result from enlarged tonsils or adenoids. Surgical removal of the tonsils and adenoids (an adenotonsillectomy) is often the only treatment needed to resolve obstructive sleep apnea in children. A CPAP machine may also be used to relieve childhood sleep apnea symptoms.

Apnea of Prematurity

Infants and newborns can develop sleep apnea. When sleep apnea develops in infants under a year of age, it is referred to as apnea of infancy. Most cases of infant apnea go away as the child continues to grow.

Apnea of prematurity is a more serious form of childhood sleep apnea that can affect premature babies born before 34 weeks of gestation. A premature infant's respiratory system is often immature, as the brain has not developed enough to regulate breathing.

Treatment for apnea of prematurity (AOP) includes oxygen supplementation, use of a CPAP machine to keep the airways open, and medication to help the respiratory system mature as fast as possible. Caregivers should ensure the baby sleeps on his or her back, and that the child's neck and head are kept straight.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea in Children

Symptoms of sleep apnea in children can be similar to signs of sleep apnea in adults. Children, however, can display other symptoms of sleep apnea. While most children with sleep apnea will be drowsy and sleepy during the day, trouble sleeping leave some kids become hyperactive or exhibiting signs of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

ADHD-like sleep apnea symptoms may lead to a misdiagnosis of ADHD or hyperactivity in children when sleep disturbances are actually the cause. Recent studies suggest that severe sleep apnea can cause brain damage in areas of the brain responsible for memory, learning and attention.

In addition to symptoms seen in adults such as hypertension and depression, childhood sleep apnea symptoms can also include:

Apparent Life-Threatening Event (ALTE)

An ALTE, or Apparent Life-Threatening Event, is a serious sleep apnea complication that affects some children with sleep apnea. During an ALTE the child can choke or gag. Muscle tone may change and the lips or face may turn blue due to oxygen deprivation (a condition known as cyanosis). An apparent life-threatening event is a medical emergency and requires immediate medical intervention.

Although an ALTE involves apnea, or cessation in breathing, the condition is not necessarily caused by sleep apnea. Infant GERD can cause an ALTE, as can infections and other medical conditions. a child may experience multiple apparent life-threatening events, or may have a single ALTE and never experience another. Either way, immediate medical attention is always required for an ALTE.

Disclaimer: The information contained within this article is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute in any way for care and treatment by a qualified health professional.

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The copyright of the article Childhood Sleep Apnea Symptoms in Sleep Disorders is owned by Michael McGrath. Permission to republish Childhood Sleep Apnea Symptoms in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Aug 7, 2009 12:25 PM

Guest :

i spoke with my daughters doctor and she told me that i should wait and see if my baby turns blue to determine if she has sleep apnea and im thinking in my head she is dumb by then wouldnt my baby need to be rushed to the hospital if you have any comments or suggestions please comment back thank you

Sep 19, 2009 10:11 AM

Guest :

I have 3 children who have central apnea and if you think your daughter has apnea she probably does! If you watch her chest rise and fall as she breathes and then the rise and fall stops or she begins to breath noisily, record it with your cell phone or cam corder and take it to a doctor who will "hear you". Please don't wait for your child to turn blue. There are lots of things that could be done to help your child but they have to listen to you. If your doctor wont listen, go to another one.

Oct 8, 2009 7:56 AM

Guest :

I have been fighting with medical professionals for 3 years now to take me seriously when I say that my oldest has gasped and gagged himself awake since he was three days old. I have FINALLY found an ENT that will remove his adenoids, and I am hoping to have his tonsils done at the same time. He has never been able to breath through his nose- we finally had confirmation that the adenoids were blocking his airway by a neck and skull radiograph. For 3 years we have fought "professional opinion" that he may be autistic, since his speech was not developing (hard to talk when you can't breath) and he had limited his food intake to soft textures that he didn't have to chew (can't chew if you can't breath)like oatmeal and applesauce. He is deathly afraid to eat anything that he might choke on. He was difficult to breastfeed. He was stiff as a board when he was an infant, and appeared to not enjoy being cuddled,but now that we see the bigger picture we understand that these things all compromised his air way! Don't wait. Find someone that will listen. This is a serious condition that can be treated.