Sleep Apnea in Children

It is important to treat obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in children because the untreated problem negatively affects both the quality of life and school success of children. Ear, Nose and Throat and Head and Neck Surgery Specialist Op.Dr.Bahadır Baykal gave information on the subject.

Quality sleep is indispensable for a healthy life in both adults and children. In obstructive sleep apnea, there is a sudden stop of breathing and deterioration of sleep quality as a result of complete or partial airway obstruction during sleep. We know that sleep apnea in adults invites many diseases from arrhythmia to reflux, from hypertension to sexual dysfunction. Sleep apnea in children; It causes many problems from growth retardation to frequent upper respiratory tract infections, from hyperactivity to school failure.

The total sleep time in preschool children is 11-12 hours, and this period is 6-12 hours in the 9-11 age period. Pre-school treatment of obstructive sleep apnea is very important. Because in untreated children, school success is negatively affected along with the quality of life.

In a study, it was found that the rate of chronically snoring children in primary school age was 10% and apnea was 1%.

Sleep apnea causes concentration difficulties in children, causing learning difficulties and school failure.

If your child snores asleep, sweats excessively during the night, turns over constantly in bed and stops breathing even once, you should suspect sleep apnea. Even if sleep apnea is more common in children with facial development defects, especially obese, allergic and large tongue, the main reason is almost always large tonsils and adenoid. Common nasal polyps can also be the cause of apnea from time to time.

In the child whose sleep pattern is disturbed and cannot get enough sleep at night, the lesson concentration decreases over time. Perception disorder brings with it memorization and learning difficulties. Attention is reduced and memory usage is impaired. The child who exhibits aggressive behavior during the day becomes intolerant and hyperactive.

In the child whose sleep pattern is disturbed and cannot get enough sleep at night, the lesson concentration decreases over time. Perception disorder brings with it memorization and learning difficulties. Attention is reduced and memory usage is impaired. The child who exhibits aggressive behavior during the day becomes intolerant and hyperactive.

In a child with sleep apnea, the oxygen level may decrease and structural disorders may occur in the face, jaw and mouth. Nocturnal growth hormone is less secreted, so development deteriorates, weight gain and height growth stop.

If the child's complaints occur following an upper respiratory tract infection, drug treatment is applied. If this situation does not improve with treatment, the size of the adenoid and tonsils are evaluated in terms of surgery. Sleep apnea caused by the sea flesh and tonsil problem improves dramatically after surgery. Appetite increases, growth and development He is in order and his school success increases as the child gets enough sleep.