Snoring in Children

Snoring is a very common problem affecting about 40 percent of adults. It is estimated that 5% of snoring adults will have sleep apnea. Although a smaller percentage of children, roughly 10%, have snoring, the possibility of sleep apnea in a snoring child is estimated at over 20%.

Children with sleep apnea will frequently have significant snoring at night with pauses in breathing. They may also experience nasal obstruction with mouth breathing, daytime tiredness, behavioral problems, learning difficulties, and even ADHD. Bedwetting, sleepwalking, and failure to thrive have also been related to sleep apnea in children.

Unlike adults who typically have multiple reasons for sleep apnea to include nasal obstruction, redundant soft palate, enlarged tongue, and obesity, the majority of children with sleep apnea have enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Simply removing the tonsils and adenoids will resolve sleep apnea in nearly all children. Some children with obstructive adenoids, but normal tonsils, can benefit from adenoidectomy alone to resolved nasal obstruction and improve both daytime and nighttime breathing.
A history and physical exam by an otolaryngologist will help determine if your child has sleep apnea and what the proper steps are to resolve the problem.

To read more on snoring, visit www.snoringaustin.com.

Zachary Wassmuth, MD