Signs of sleep apnea in children
Hearing your child snore from down the hall can seem sweet the first time and worrying by the tenth. Maybe their teacher has mentioned trouble focusing, or mornings have turned into a battle to get them out of bed. Snoring, mouth breathing and restless sleep can all point to your child's airway, and because kids are still growing, looking into it early can make a real difference. This post covers the signs of sleep apnea in children, what causes it, and how we gently check your child's sleep at home.
What are the signs of sleep apnea in children?
The most common signs of sleep apnea in children are snoring, mouth breathing and restless sleep at night, along with trouble focusing, irritability or behavior changes during the day. Mayo Clinic lists these signs to watch for:
At night
- Snoring
- Pauses in breathing
- Restless sleep
- Snorting, gasping, coughing or choking
- Mouth breathing
- Nighttime sweating
- Bed-wetting that starts after a long stretch of dry nights
During the day
- Morning headaches
- Breathing through the mouth, or trouble breathing through the nose
- Trouble learning and paying attention
- Acting hyper, impulsive or aggressive
Many of these daytime signs are easy to mistake for a child who's simply having a hard season, so it helps to look at their nights and their days together.
What causes sleep apnea in kids?
In children, sleep apnea happens when the muscles at the back of the throat relax during sleep and block the upper airway. Mayo Clinic notes that the most common risk factor is enlarged tonsils and adenoids.
The shape of your child's jaw and mouth plays a part too. A narrow arch can leave the tongue without enough room, so it falls back toward the airway, and because a child's jaw and airway are still developing, the way they breathe and swallow can shape how that airway grows.
Does a child's snoring really matter?
It can. In children, snoring and mouth breathing can affect sleep quality, focus and how the airway develops. Mayo Clinic notes that untreated sleep apnea in children can affect attention, learning and weight gain, and is linked with high blood pressure and other heart and blood vessel problems. The encouraging part is that catching these patterns early can help address problems before they grow, and it gives your child a better shot at the restful nights they need.
How do we check a child's sleep and airway?
We keep the whole process gentle and family friendly, and we explain every step in plain language so you can make confident decisions:
- We start by talking with you about your child's symptoms, their sleep and how their days are going.
- We look carefully at your child's airway and bite.
- Sleep testing happens at home, in your child's own bed, and we walk your family through it before you leave.
- When care calls for it, we coordinate with your child's physician, and our partner myofunctional therapist can work with your child too.
It helps to come in with a picture of your child's nights. Over several evenings before the visit, jot down what you notice: snoring, pauses in breathing, mouth breathing, sweating, how restless they seem and how they wake up in the morning. Notes from a teacher about focus or behavior are useful too, because they help us connect what happens at night with how your child's days are going.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry encourages dentists to screen children for sleep-related breathing problems and to refer them to a medical provider for diagnosis, which is why working hand in hand with your child's doctors is part of how we care for kids. You can learn more on our children's sleep and airway page.
When should you bring your child in?
If your child snores most nights, breathes through their mouth, or seems tired and scattered during the day, it's worth a look. We generally see children from around age six or seven. If your child is younger and you're noticing these signs, call us anyway, and we'll help you figure out the right next step for your family.
To make the first visit easy on everyone, we send you our patient forms and a short sleep questionnaire ahead of time, so we already understand your concerns when you and your child walk in. You can find them on our new patients page.
Frequently asked questions
How young can a child be seen for sleep and airway care?
We generally see children from around age six or seven. If you're noticing snoring, mouth breathing or restless sleep in a younger child, reach out anyway. We'll listen to what you're seeing at home and help you understand the right next step for your family, including whether your child's physician should be involved.
Is it normal for my child to snore?
Occasional light snoring is usually harmless, but loud or regular snoring can be a sign that your child's airway is partly blocked. In children, snoring and mouth breathing can affect sleep quality, focus and how the airway develops, so it's worth having it checked while your child is still growing.
Is a sleep test hard on a child?
No. The at-home sleep test is simple and done in your child's own bed, which is far more comfortable than a night in a lab. We walk your family through every step before you go home, so you and your child know exactly what to expect when bedtime comes around.
Does my child's mouth breathing have anything to do with their sleep?
It can. Mouth breathing is one of the signs Mayo Clinic lists for sleep apnea in children, and because a child's jaw and airway are still developing, the way they breathe can shape how their airway grows. We look at your child's airway and bite to understand what's behind it.
Book your visit in Glen Allen
Your child deserves to sleep soundly and wake up ready for the day. Call A-Z Sleep & Airway Center at (804)-767-2507 or book online, and we'll talk through what you're seeing at home and how we can help. Our office is in the Shops at Cross Ridge at 10220 Staples Mill Rd in Glen Allen, with plenty of parking right out front.
Keep reading: snoring vs. sleep apnea, what causes snoring.
Published by A-Z Sleep & Airway Center.
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