It’s important for children to get a good night’s sleep. Sleep not only rests the body, but it also gives the brain a chance to sort and store information.
But some children do not get enough sleep – or enough quality sleep – due to certain medical or behavioral conditions. One of the most common medical reasons for poor sleep is a condition called sleep apnea.
Apnea is when a child stops breathing for brief periods during sleep. The term apnea literally comes from the Greek word meaning "without wind." Although the condition is more common in adults, it can affect children too, particularly those who are overweight or obese. In addition, apnea may be noted in those children with enlarged tonsils and adenoids or other conditions that affect anatomy and function of the upper airway.
Signs and symptoms can include:
- snoring (the most common)
- hard or noisy breathing while sleeping
- gasping or stopping breathing when asleep
- waking up often during the night
- mouth breathing
- very restless sleep
- sleeping in unusual positions
- weight loss or poor weight gain
- daytime sleepiness
- awakening with a headache
- wetting the bed
Children with sleep apnea, or any other chronic sleep problem, may lack energy during the day, become moody, or appear easily distracted. In fact, recent studies suggest that some children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have attention problems in school because of sleep difficulties.
The Sleep Medicine experts at Nemours can help diagnose your child’s sleep problem, determine its cause, and then offer appropriate treatment options. Our team includes board-certified pediatricians and pulmonologists (lung specialists) that have advanced training in sleep medicine, as well as advanced practice nurses, sleep study (polysomnography) technicians, respiratory therapists, and behavioral health specialists with particular interest and expertise in sleep-related problems.
Comprehensive care is coordinated through our state-of-the-art Sleep Centers in Delaware and Florida. Learn more about our sleep evaluation locations: