Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea

It is defined as the sleep disorder in which your child’s breathing blocked repeatedly during sleep. It is occurred due to the blockage of the upper airway.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms include:

• Sleep terrors
• Bed wetting
• Snoring
• Restless sleep
• Mouth breathing

Causes

In adult the main cause is obesity. In children enlarged tonsils and adenoids may be the most common cause, obesity also associated with pediatric sleep apnea.

Diagnosis

Diagnostic tests for pediatric sleep apnea include:

• Electrocardiogram
• Oximetry to record the overnight oxygen saturation
• Polysomnogram to record brain wave activity, breathing pattern and oxygen levels.

Treatment

Treatment options includes:

• Tonsillectomy to remove the tonsils.
• Removal of adenoids
• Topical nasal steroids
• Oral devices to prevent obstruction