Could Your Child Have Sleep Apnea?
Untreated sleep apnea may cause daytime fatigue and behavioral problems at school. Children who have untreated sleep apnea may also have delayed growth and cardiovascular problems.
Children who snore loudly are twice as likely to have learning problems. They may have behavioral problems similar to ADHD — hyperactivity and difficulty paying attention — which in fact are caused by undiagnosed sleep apnea.
During the night, a child with sleep apnea may:
- Snore loudly and on a regular basis
- Have pauses, gasps, and snorts and actually stop breathing. The snorts or gasps may waken them and disrupt their sleep.
- Be restless or sleep in abnormal positions with their head in unusual positions
- Sweat heavily during sleep
During the day, a child with sleep apnea may:
- Have behavioral, school and social problems
- Be difficult to wake up
- Have headaches during the day, but especially in the morning
- Be irritable, agitated, aggressive, and cranky
- Be so sleepy during the day that they actually fall asleep or daydream
- Speak with a nasal voice and breathe regularly through the mouth
Source: National Sleep Foundation
