Sleep problems are among the most common issues experienced by infants and toddlers. These may include difficulty falling asleep, nightmares, waking during the night, teeth grinding, and even breathing disorders.
Breathing disorders during sleep should not be taken lightly. Breathing disorders during sleep are more commonly referred to as sleep apnea — a condition in which breathing stops during sleep. In adults, sleep apnea can lead to heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and even stroke. In children, however, sleep apnea can hinder growth and development.
Types of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can be categorized into several types as follows:
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View Product Free ConsultationObstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder caused by a blockage in the airway. It is the most common and frequently occurring type of sleep apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea can be caused by various factors that physically block a child's airway, preventing sufficient air from reaching the lungs. In children, enlarged tonsils and adenoids are typically the most common contributing cause.
When a child's muscles relax at night, these enlarged glands can temporarily obstruct airflow to the lungs.
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Other causes of airway obstruction include obesity or excessive weight gain in children, as well as certain facial characteristics — such as a receding chin or a cleft palate. Children at higher risk of sleep apnea include those with Down syndrome or other congenital conditions that affect the upper airway. It is known that more than half of children with Down syndrome experience obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Central Sleep Apnea
In central sleep apnea, there is no airway obstruction. Instead, the condition is caused by the brain's failure to send signals to the muscles to breathe.
Mixed Apnea
Mixed apnea is a sleep disorder caused by a combination of both types of sleep apnea described above — OSA and central sleep apnea.
Signs of Sleep Apnea in Toddlers
To identify this sleep disorder in infants and toddlers, there are several signs to watch for. While the signs of sleep apnea in infants and toddlers are quite varied, the most commonly observed is snoring.
The child experiences difficulty breathing and snores while sleeping. This condition is also often marked by breathing pauses lasting 10 seconds or more while the child is asleep.
However, do not be too quick to conclude that your child has sleep apnea simply because they snore during sleep. Snoring caused by sleep apnea is not ordinary snoring — it is accompanied by labored breathing and breathing pauses lasting several seconds.
If your child breathes through their mouth at all times — whether during daytime or nighttime sleep — you should be alert. You should also watch for frequent coughing during sleep, restless sleep, or excessive sweating while sleeping.
If you observe one or a combination of these signs along with repeated nighttime awakenings, sleep apnea may be a possibility worth investigating.
For further clues and to determine whether your child truly has sleep apnea, observe their daytime behavior. Children with sleep apnea are often sleep-deprived, which can make them irritable, frustrated, and easily upset. Your child may even fall asleep at inappropriate times due to frequent nighttime awakenings.
Health Problems in Children with Sleep Apnea
Children with sleep apnea may be at risk of developing health problems. These health issues are often related to the tonsils or adenoids. In addition, your child may also experience developmental delays if they do not get sufficient sleep, as they miss out on growth hormones released during the night. If your child is struggling to breathe at night, their development may be negatively affected.
Sleep is essential for children. Getting enough sleep is crucial for their well-being. Sleep-deprived children tend to become fussy as they fight off drowsiness. The side effects of insufficient sleep can impact many aspects of a child's life, including:
Physical
Growth hormones are largely released during sleep, so when a child is sleep-deprived due to sleep apnea, their physical growth can be disrupted.
Cognitive
Dream sleep plays an important role in a child's cognitive and emotional development. During sleep and dreaming, the brain's capacity continues to develop — recognizable by rapid eye movements. When a child has sleep apnea, brain development can be impaired, and potential that should naturally emerge may go unrealized.
Motor Skills
Sleep deprivation in children can also disrupt the development of their nervous system and muscles. Children with sleep disorders tend to develop gross motor skills more dominantly than fine motor skills.
Emotional and Mental
When children do not get enough sleep, they become easily irritable and are less likely to listen to their parents.
What Should Be Done to Address Sleep Apnea in Children?
If you suspect your child has sleep apnea, the right course of action is to consult a doctor. The doctor will likely inquire about your child's sleep habits and examine their airway. If the condition is found to be related to weight or allergies, a referral to the appropriate specialist may be recommended.
To diagnose sleep apnea, a test known as a polysomnogram is commonly used. This test monitors brain waves, breathing, eye movements, blood oxygen levels, snoring, and breathing sounds during sleep.
Sleep Apnea in Infants
In addition to toddlers, sleep apnea can also affect infants, although it is less common. Infants who experience sleep apnea are typically those born prematurely. The earlier a baby is born, the higher the likelihood of developing sleep apnea. This is attributed to an immature central nervous system, brain hemorrhage, infection, birth defects, respiratory system disease, reflux, chemical imbalances in the body, and cardiovascular problems.
Signs of Sleep Apnea in Infants
The signs of sleep apnea in infants are similar to those in toddlers, one of which is stopped breathing. However, in infants specifically, breathing pauses can last longer — up to 20 seconds.
That said, it is important to remember that infants under 6 months of age will normally breathe faster at times, then slow down, and may pause for up to 15 seconds before resuming normal breathing.
Sleep apnea in infants can have serious consequences. When an infant stops breathing, blood oxygen levels drop while carbon dioxide levels rise — a condition that can cause a drastic decrease in heart rate, more commonly known as bradycardia.
