Sleep Apnea In Children

Sleep apnea in children

        Sleep is very important for kids. Researchers analyzed the sleep of 130 children aged between 4 and 12 years. They were monitored while sleeping and doctors could see the brain activity, moving eyeballs, breathing rate and muscular rhythm. The study revealed a maximum potential of apnea in children between 4 and 6 years. It was likened to the broadness of tonsils in relation to neck size. It's good to know that if you sleep 1 hour there are 10 sequences of 10 seconds of apnea, when the brain is no longer getting enough oxygen. Effects are observed by a suddenly wake or a strong snoring.

        Sleep apnea in children may also cause a low concentration during the day, but even the appearance of diabetes, hypertension or stroke. In preschool age children, the recommended number of hours per night is 11-13, while at school is 10-11 hours a night. Before sleep, children should not consume caffeinated products such as certain juices or chocolate. Also children should not take sleeping pills.

        3% of children aged up to 9 years may suffer from sleep apnea in children and many more (up to 12%) can snore. It is very important to make difference between sleep apnea in children and children who only snore. Based on these data, researchers at the University of Chicago have discovered a technique wich is able to do this, thus, is no longer need to make expensive studies somnografie for children.

        After comparing the analysis of the morning urine from two batches of children (some healthy and others with possible sleep apnea syndrome) and after electrophoresis of proteins there were revealed differences between the two groups. There where proteins that act different. This study is extremely important because it can be the basis of color tests easy to use in both office and home.

Sleep apnea in preamature kids

        The incidence is higher at lower gestational ages. Even pathological conditions such as hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, sepsis, intracranial hemorrhage and, occasionally, gastroesophageal reflux may cause apnea, therefore, premature babies who develop apnea should be evaluated to rule out these conditions below.

Causes of sleep apnea in preamature children

        The causes of these attacks are milk aspiration ( in the airways), heart failure, infection, hypoxia, hypoglycemia and hypocalcemia.

Sleep apnea treatment in preamature children

        If the child stimulation doesn't make him breath a balloon ventilation and an oxygen mask will be used. Avoid high concentrations of oxygen to prevent retinopathy of prematurity. If the sleep apnea in children is caused by aspiration will be given to the newborn small meals every 2 hours or he wil be feeded through the tube. Doctor will continuously monitor the oxygen pressure and if the apnea occurs even in the presence of 40% oxygen concentration in inspired air, ventilation will require special procedures. Administration of aminophylline may be useful in sleep apnea in children but the plasma concentration of the substance should be controled. If a persistent tachycardia (over 165/min) appear the dose will be reduced.

Causes of sleep apnea in children

        Obstructive apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea in children. It's cause is the airways obstruction due to the enlarged adenoids or tonsils.

Symptoms of sleep apnea in children

        Restless sleep, snoring and breathing pauses are among the most important symptoms of sleep apnea in children.

Sleep apnea treatment in children

        The most eficient way to solve sleep apnea in children is surgery. Even if it is painful, it represents the best way to treat the apnea. There are several surgeries in order to achieve this. Uvulo-palato-faringoplastia, adenoids removal, tonsilectomia and traheostomy are the most common surgeries. In case of an overweight pacient a bariatric surgery will be performed. Another treatment for children could be a mask which must be weared during sleep. You can find information about sleep apnea in children. Read also about sleep apnea in children borned premature.