Sleep apnea

Expert: Dr Asmita Mahajan, Consultant Neonatologist & Paediatrician, SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim - A Fortis Associate

Sleep apnea, or obstructive sleep apnea, is increasingly common in children, affecting nearly 3%. It is more prevalent in children with a history of snoring. Symptoms include restless and inadequate sleep, snoring, bedwetting, irritability, and excessive daytime sleepiness. Common causes are enlarged tonsils and adenoids, obesity, and poor muscle tone, as seen in cerebral palsy or Down syndrome. Treatment often involves tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy. Weight management and the use of nasal CPAP or BiPAP machines can also help. Children with sleep apnea should have their cardiovascular systems evaluated due to potential damage from prolonged poor-quality sleep.