When breathing is partially or completely blocked, frequently, even for a brief amount of time, while one sleeps, it is because the airways have narrowed or are blocked. This condition is known as sleep apnea, and the signs and symptoms of this condition should be recognized as early as possible, especially in children. When left untreated, the condition, known as pediatric sleep apnea in children, leads to serious curtailment of growth and cognitive development, along with behavior issues and social isolation.
Why does pediatric sleep apnea frequently go unreported?
Most people assume that sleep apnea only affects middle-aged, overweight men, and this is because it is relatively less common in children. It affects about 5% of the below-18 population but is serious enough to cause concern among parents and the medical fraternity.
Additionally, the symptoms of sleep apnea in adults may differ from those of pediatric sleep apnea. Children suffering from sleep apnea display behavioral problems rather than drowsiness or fatigue, which are common among adults with the condition. Pediatric sleep apnea is sometimes misdiagnosed as ADHD, learning disability, or other disorders due to behavioral issues. Also, children with sleep apnea are three times more likely to score low grades in school, and this adds to the reasons for the condition being misdiagnosed as a learning disability.
If left completely untreated, children with sleep apnea face the risk of developing cardiac disease and hypertension in adulthood.
Signs and symptoms of pediatric sleep apnea
Parents of children with sleep apnea may report issues like attention deficit, behavioral problems, aggression, irritability, communication issues, deficiency in social competency, and self-care to a counselor or psychologist and start treatment for these issues:
- Snoring due to enlarged tonsils or adenoids.
- Breathing through the mouth in children with adenoids.
- Sleepiness during the daytime.
- Lack of concentration and short attention span in school.
- Behavioral issues may include being late or non-attendance, aggression, irritability, poor performance in class, poor weight gain, delay in learning and comprehension, and hyperactivity.
- Sleepwalking and brief, frequent interruptions in sleep.
- Bedwetting even after going to the bathroom before going to bed.
- Teeth grinding or bruxism is assumed to be caused by stress, but in sleep apnea, grinding or gnashing of teeth and clenching of the jaws could be a result of the body’s reflex in trying to keep the airways open.
- As sleep apnea is associated with reduced oxygen levels, it can result in high blood pressure and heart rate. This, in turn, leads to the release of adrenaline/stress hormones that cause excessive sweating, which is termed as night sweating.
- Unless the child has a cold or a respiratory condition, snoring is not common among kids. Regular snoring while sleeping is a clear sign of blocked air passages due to enlarged tonsils or adenoids, which, in turn, point to sleep apnea.
- Coughing or choking during sleep is often reported by parents who also hear gurgling noises and loud snoring while the child sleeps. It also leads to restless sleep.
- Fatigue, drowsiness, and lethargy are signs and symptoms of lack of sleep due to sleep apnea. Though many children don’t display these signs of sleep deprivation, it can manifest in failing to wake up early in the morning, tiredness, and lack of interest in physical activities.
