Obstructive sleep apneais a condition that affects breathing during sleep in both adults and children. It can have an important impact on growth, development, and behavior in affected youth. What are some of the symptoms associated with sleep apnea in children and adolescents? What unique treatments exist for these groups? Learn how to treat obstructive sleep apnea in children and teenagers, including the roles of surgery, allergy treatment, orthodontics, CPAP therapy, weight loss, and alternative options like myofunctional therapy.
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What Is Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Symptoms and Signs of Sleep Apnea in Children
Despite the similarities to how obstructive sleep apnea occurs in adults, children also may have uniquesymptomsandsignsof the disorder. Some of these findings include:
Let’s review a few of these important findings and highlight how they might suggest the presence of obstructive sleep apnea.
Children should not chronically snore. Though it might seem cute, this can be a sign of difficulty breathing during sleep and should not be ignored. Mouth breathing indicates trouble breathing through the nose. This may be due to nasal congestion from a cold or chronically in the setting of allergies. Sweaty and restless sleep may be a sign of thrashing and struggling to breathe.
Sleep apnea may fragment sleep stages and lead to sleep behaviors (calledparasomnias) and even bedwetting that persists beyond the normal age of resolution. Children may be sleepy during the daytime, but they more likely may become hyperactive and inattentive. Growth can also become impaired and effective treatment of sleep apnea may cause a rebound in growth and an improvement in behavior. Theseconsequencescan be avoided.
Treatments for Sleep Apnea in Children and Adolescents
Fortunately, there are effective treatment options available for this condition in children and adolescents, including:
Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy
Allergy Treatment
Orthodontic Treatment
Myofunctional Therapy
1:39Click Play to Learn About Myofunctional Therapy Exercises
1:39
Click Play to Learn About Myofunctional Therapy Exercises
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
CPAPtherapy may be used in children or teenagers who have persistent sleep apnea despite other treatment efforts. After other interventions are made, a sleep study may be useful to reassess the condition. If it persists, CPAP can be an effective option. With CPAP, a constant flow of air is delivered through a face mask worn over the nose or nose and mouth during sleep. It is important to select a mask that does not apply too much pressure to the mid-face (nose and upper teeth) as there are reports of growth restriction. Many teenagers gradually lose interest in CPAP therapy and long-term adherence may be disrupted, especially when teenagers go off to college and sleep in dormitory environments. It can be a treatment that is returned to later as needed.
Maxillomandibular Advancement
Oral Appliance
Weight Loss
In children who are overweight or obese, a weight loss plan with improved nutrition and increased exercise may be indicated. These changes should be made with the supervision of a pediatrician. Gradual weight loss is a realistic goal and the amount needed will vary based on the child’sbody mass index (BMI).
A Word From Verywell
If you are concerned about obstructive sleep apnea in your child, speak with your pediatrician and seek the advice of a trusted board-certified pediatric sleep specialist who can provide further evaluation, guidance, and referrals as needed. Obstructive sleep apnea can be treated effectively and the role of a motivated parent in maximizing the impact of these interventions cannot be overstated.
SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Dehlink E and Tan H. Update on Paediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.Journal of Thoracic Disease. 2016;8(2):224-35.Li Z, Celestin J, and Lockey RF. Pediatric Sleep Apnea Syndrome: An Update.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2016 Jun 30;S2213-2198(16)30105-2.Marcus CL et al. Diagnosis and Management of Childhood Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.Pediatrics. Originally published online August 27, 2012; DOI: 10.1542/peds.2012-1671.Pereira KD, Jon CK, Szmuk P, Lazar RH, and Mitchell RB. Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children: A Practical Approach.Ear Nose Throat J. 2016 Jul;95(7):E14-22.Whitla L and Lennon P. Non-surgical Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: A Review.Paediatr Int Child Health. 2016 Apr 14:1-5.
Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Dehlink E and Tan H. Update on Paediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.Journal of Thoracic Disease. 2016;8(2):224-35.Li Z, Celestin J, and Lockey RF. Pediatric Sleep Apnea Syndrome: An Update.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2016 Jun 30;S2213-2198(16)30105-2.Marcus CL et al. Diagnosis and Management of Childhood Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.Pediatrics. Originally published online August 27, 2012; DOI: 10.1542/peds.2012-1671.Pereira KD, Jon CK, Szmuk P, Lazar RH, and Mitchell RB. Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children: A Practical Approach.Ear Nose Throat J. 2016 Jul;95(7):E14-22.Whitla L and Lennon P. Non-surgical Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: A Review.Paediatr Int Child Health. 2016 Apr 14:1-5.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Dehlink E and Tan H. Update on Paediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.Journal of Thoracic Disease. 2016;8(2):224-35.Li Z, Celestin J, and Lockey RF. Pediatric Sleep Apnea Syndrome: An Update.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2016 Jun 30;S2213-2198(16)30105-2.Marcus CL et al. Diagnosis and Management of Childhood Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.Pediatrics. Originally published online August 27, 2012; DOI: 10.1542/peds.2012-1671.Pereira KD, Jon CK, Szmuk P, Lazar RH, and Mitchell RB. Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children: A Practical Approach.Ear Nose Throat J. 2016 Jul;95(7):E14-22.Whitla L and Lennon P. Non-surgical Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: A Review.Paediatr Int Child Health. 2016 Apr 14:1-5.
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