How do I know if my child's snoring is serious?
Many children snore and are perfectly healthy individuals exhibiting no other problems. This is called primary snoring. However, a small percentage of children have a more serious form of snoring call obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). This syndrome is now being recognized as leading to school and behavior problems in children.

What are the signs and symptoms that my child may have OSAS?
Children with OSAS have disrupted sleep patterns. The snoring is loud and is present every night. The snoring continues regardless of the child's sleep position. Sleep is interrupted with short pauses, snorts and gasps.

When a child's breathing is obstructed during sleep, the brain interprets this as a choking phenomenon. Children cannot tolerate repeated cycles of interrupted sleep so the sleep deprived child begins to exhibit behavior problems, short attention spans and problems at school.

Other signs and symptoms include:
-large tonsils and/or adenoids with frequent mouth breathing
-nasal speech and nasal obstruction
-poor weight gain ("failure to thrive")
-overweight
-high blood pressure

What are consequences of untreated OSAS?
Some of the consequences of untreated OSAS are:
-Snoring: disrupting not only the child themselves but any person that shares a room that child
-Sleep deprivation: leading the child to become moody, inattentive and disruptive both at home and in school. Lack of energy may also contribute to obesity.
-Abnormal urine production: children with sleep disorders may have bedwetting
-Growth: Growth hormone is secreted a night. Children with sleep disorders may have an interruption in the secretion of this hormone resulting in slow growth or development.
-Attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Evidence shows a link between sleep disorders in children and attention deficit disorders.

How is OSAS diagnosed?
Parents are often first to notice signs of OSAS in their child. They may observe snoring, thrashing in bed, bedwetting, gasping or snorting. Social symptoms may also be reported such as moodiness, behavior problems and poor academic performance.

Physicians of many different disciplines work cooperatively to diagnose and treat sleep apnea in children. Sleep specialists work closely with otolaryngologist / head and neck surgeons, pediatricians and neurologists. Diagnostic testing is done in a sleep center including an overnight sleep study (polysomnography). Results of the study will be interpreted by the sleep physician and shared with the patient and his or her family.

How is OSAS treated?
Surgery: In many instances, removal of the child's enlarged tonsils and adenoids (adenotonsillectomy) can correct this problem. If your child is discovered to have structural problems, more specialized surgery may be needed to improve OSAS.

CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure masks have been found to be very helpful in the treatment of children with OSAS. It is an option for children who can't have surgery or who continue to have sleep apnea following the surgery.

Lifestyle changes: Obesity and allergies can also contribute to sleep apnea. Helping the child lose weight by diet and exercise and treating allergy symptoms can help improve OSAS.