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Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder. A child who struggles to breathe while snoring may be suffering from OSA. A child who has sleep apnea may snort or gasp while snoring. He may also appear to “suck in” his chest. Pediatric center at Phyathai 2 International Hospital is aware of such problems and determined to participate in the solution for helping children in Thailand and around the world.

Snoring in children seems to be common. Researchers have found that 20% of normal children snore from time to time. Seven percent to 10% of children snore every night. Snoring is not always a sign of a problem in a child. Some children might be perfectly healthy but some are not. However, severe snoring is found in about 2% of children. Their snoring is a sign of a sleep or breathing problem.

In fact, snoring has been strongly associated with a wide-range of detrimental effects on a child’s overall health.

The strongest predictors of persistent snoring were lower socioeconomic status and the absence or shorter duration of breast-feeding, says Dr. Dean Beebe, director of the Phyathai 2 International Hospital‘s neuropsychology program. “This would suggest that doctors routinely screen for and track snoring, especially in children from poorer families, and refer loudly-snoring children for follow-up care. That kind of snoring can be a sign of real breathing problems at night that are treatable.”

Other signs or symptoms might include:

• large tonsils and/or adenoids with frequent mouth breathing, hyponasal speech and nasal obstruction
• poor weight gain
• being overweight
• high blood pressure
• Problems at school
• Delayed growth
• Heart failure

Treatment option for snoring in children

• Surgery
• Positive airway pressure (PAP)
• Lifestyle change

If your children experience such a kind of problem, please come to pediatric center, Phyathai 2 International Hospital for further discussion and evaluation.