Is your child snoring? These health issues can cause it

Parents ensure that their child gets a sweet sleep but some health concerns may make it difficult to sleep comfortably. Snoring in children is a common health concern. It happens when the air inhaled cannot flow freely through the airway at the back of the throat. When a child inhales or exhales, the tissue around the airway vibrates, creating an audible noise. This noise is called snoring.

Dr. Devkumar Rengaraja, Consultant-ENT & Skull Base Surgeon, Hiranandani Hospital, Navi Mumbai says, “Snoring is common in children and if the kid has ‘primary snoring’, then parents need not worry. Primary snoring is the first stage of disordered breathing that may or may not be accompanied by any other symptoms; this is thought to affect about 1 in 100 children.”

“Primary snoring is also known as ‘simple snoring’. In this kind of snoring, a child snores more than two times per week but does not have other noticeable symptoms or associated health issues. But the frequency and severity may differ from one child to another. Also, it is crucial to understand whether snoring is causing sleep disturbance or any other problems, which could be impacting the child’s sleep,” he adds.

While primarily one may snore due to blockages of the airway, there are other health problems which may lead to the child making noise while sleeping.
Large or swollen Tonsils and Adenoids
Suffers from allergies – this results in inflation of the nose and throat, making is difficult to breathe
Have anatomic abnormalities like Deviated Septum
Turbinate Hypertrophy – in this the middle or the inferior Nasal Turbinate enlarged
Nasal Polyposis growth on the nasal passage
Obesity – the airway becomes narrow

Dr. Rengaraja says, “One of the biggest and common sleep problems is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). It is a condition which showcases a constant lapse in a child’s breathing during the night. These lapses are known as Apneas, and they seem to occur frequently every night because the airway is blocked. OSA can lead to fragmented sleep and is connected to causing negative impact on the child’s growth - physical health, mental health, learning, behavior, and cardiovascular health. Regular snoring can cause cognitive impairment and may even affect the nervous system. Studies estimate that around 5% of children have Obstructive Sleep Apnea.”

While snoring may not be a serious problem, as it might not last for long, parents can look out for these signs and reach out to the doctor for treatment.
Snoring
Gasps or difficulty breathing while sleeping (Apnea)
Difficulty concentrating or learning
Morning headaches
Daytime sleepiness
Difficulty concentrating or learning
Diagnosis of Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Below-average weight gain

According to Dr. Rengaraja, It is important that parents keep a close watch on their children, especially while the child is sleeping. The first step in reducing snoring in children is to bring up the issue with their doctor and get a thorough diagnosis. A clear diagnosis can help determine the best way to decrease snoring, and the doctor will be in the best position to discuss the benefits and downsides of different treatment options.