A full night’s rest is essential to daily functioning, especially for children. Studies show that kids who get sufficient sleep can focus better and show improvement in attention, memory, and emotional regulation. Parents can attest to the differences in their children when they are fully rested—it’s like night and day. However, getting adequate sleep is difficult if your child has sleep apnea, leading to irritability and trouble focusing. Sleep apnea in children can even lead to behavioral and neurocognitive problems. That’s why it’s essential to get your child diagnosed at a young age. Identifying this issue early opens the door to pediatric sleep apnea treatment options that can improve your child’s life and set the stage for a better future.
If you’re worried your child has sleep apnea, it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with its causes and symptoms as well as what you can do to help them.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is the umbrella term for sleep-related disorders. Although there are several types, the most common one in children is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
OSA is when your child stops breathing while sleeping due to a blockage in the upper airway. This brief pause in breathing disrupts your child’s sleep and can cause them to feel restless during the day. OSA is common in children ages 3 to 6 but can occur at any age.
What Causes OSA in Children?
The most prevalent cause of OSA in children is a blockage in their upper airway due to enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Other factors that contribute to OSA include jaw and teeth misalignment. A deep overbite or other bite issues can further restrict airflow during sleep, making OSA symptoms more severe.
Craniofacial abnormalities can also narrow the airway. Other common causes include obesity and neuromuscular conditions, including Down syndrome or cerebral palsy.
What Are the Symptoms of OSA in Children?
The symptoms of OSA in children can be divided into two categories: symptoms while sleeping and symptoms while awake.
While asleep, symptoms include loud snoring, heavy breathing, restlessness (tossing and turning), teeth grinding, and wetting the bed. Symptoms during waking hours include irritability, behavioral issues, and learning challenges.
Impacts of OSA on Children
If your child has OSA, it can lead to other problems. Your child may fall asleep during the day, have regular headaches, and experience poor growth development. Because OSA makes it difficult for air and oxygen to flow through the lungs, your child can even develop serious, long-term lung and heart problems. We cannot stress enough how important early intervention is. Treating your child immediately can prevent lasting damage and improve their life.
Pediatric Sleep Apnea Treatment
There are a few steps to pediatric sleep apnea treatment. Before visiting our team at Orthodontists Associates of Western New York, you’ll want to see your child’s pediatrician. Treatment can vary based on symptoms, age, general health, and severity of OSA. Sometimes, your child’s healthcare provider may suggest surgery to remove the enlarged tonsils and adenoids, also called an adenotonsillectomy. This will be the first-line treatment before our intervention. The treatment can be effective, but sometimes residual OSA can occur. Residual OSA happens after adenotonsillectomy, particularly in children with craniofacial abnormalities. It’s when the OSA persists after surgery.
Other treatments include a CPAP machine or nasal steroids. A nasal steroid is an anti-inflammatory medicine that can reduce airway swelling in mild cases of OSA caused by allergies.
At Orthodontists Associates of WNY, we work alongside your child’s other health providers to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. That way, your child gets the attention and care they deserve. While seeing a pediatrician, we encourage you to call our office for further intervention.
Pediatric Sleep Apnea Treatment With Our Orthodontists
When you meet with one of our doctors, we’ll discuss other treatment options for your child. There are a couple of avenues we can explore:
- Palatal expanders: Palatal expanders widen the upper jaw, creating more space in the oral cavity. This can help increase airflow and reduce airway obstruction, alleviating your child’s OSA symptoms.
- Mandibular advancement: These devices are particularly effective in children with craniofacial abnormalities contributing to OSA. They reposition the lower jaw forward to increase upper airway space and reduce obstruction.
Pediatric Sleep Apnea Treatment Begins With a Free Screening
Early diagnosis and treatment of pediatric sleep apnea are essential to ensure your child’s well-being and development. By working closely with healthcare professionals, including pediatricians and orthodontists, you can explore a variety of treatment options tailored to your child’s specific needs. Whether through medical treatments like nasal steroids or more specialized orthodontic interventions, such as palatal expanders or mandibular advancement devices, there are effective solutions to improve your child’s sleep quality and overall health.
If you suspect your child may have sleep apnea, schedule a free screening with us and take the first step toward a more restful future for your child.
