Obstructive sleep apnea or OSA is a sleep disorder that affects millions of people around the world. Though most common in adults, it can also affect children. Sleep apnea is defined as the stopping and restarting of breathing during sleep. This is marked by snoring, gasping for air or choking, and constantly waking throughout the night.
Obstructive sleep apnea in children has been found to be dangerous well into the teen years, and often beyond. Studies have shown that children with obstructive sleep apnea are more likely to develop serious conditions like high blood pressure and weight gain. In some cases, obstructive sleep apnea goes away as a child grows, however, in many cases it remains into adulthood, bringing with it a lifetime of medical problems.
Now, a new study has found a potential cause for obstructive sleep apnea in children, and it may help get children the treatment they need.
The study was conducted by Children’s National Hospital and published in the journal SLEEP found that children who suffered illnesses such as lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) and RSV early in life were more likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea as children. In fact, the study found that children who had RSV bronchitis as babies are more than twice as likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea in childhood as those who did not.
The study highlights the importance of screening children for sleep apnea, especially if they suffered from these respiratory illnesses early in life. If your child was affected by RSV or an upper respiratory tract infection, look out for these obstructive sleep apnea warning signs:
Struggling to breathe during sleep by gasping for air
Snoring or choking during sleep
Waking frequently
Lethargy during the day
Cognitive impairment
Obesity or overweight
High blood pressure
If your child exhibits any of these symptoms, speak to your pediatrician about screening them for obstructive sleep apnea. Then, speak to Dr. Abelar about your treatment options, including a custom sleep orthotic that eliminates the need for complicated and awkward CPAP machinery.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Abelar to discuss sleep apnea or any oral health issues, please contact the office today and we’ll be happy to set up a consultation.
Tags: Children, OSA, obstructive sleep apnea, Abelar, RSV, bronchitis, upper respiratory tract infection
