Childhood snoring and sleep apnoea

https://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/childhood-snoring-and-sleep-apnea.html

Snoring affects between 3 and 12 percent of all children, and obstructive sleep apnoea in up to 10 percent of children.  These diagnoses fit in to the spectrum of “sleep disordered breathing” which includes snoring, upper airway resistance syndrome and obstructive sleep apnoea.

How do I know if my child has sleep apnoea?

Your child may have sleep apnoea if he or she does any of the following:

  • snores loudly

  • breathes through the mouth

  • gasps or stops breathing when asleep

  • wakes up often during the night

  • is restless during sleep

  • is sweaty during sleep

  • wets the bed still

When children don’t get enough sleep, or the right quality of sleep they become moody, lose attention quickly, lose their overall sense of well-being and can lead to “failure to thrive.”

Assessment by an ENT surgeon can determine where the area of airway obstruction occurs, with the majority lying with enlarged tonsils or adenoids (or both).

John Wood