Sleep Apnea in Children

Sleep apnea can have a huge affect on the health of adults, but when the dangers of sleep apnea are directed at children, the results can be devastating. Overweight children are still developing, and sleep apnea can stress their bodies, putting them at an even greater risk of sleep apnea symptoms.

According to a new study, children who are overweight and wet the bed may be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. After performing sleep studies on control and sleep apnea suffering children, the study showed that both bedwetting and being overweight can be associated with sleep apnea but the two not associated with each other.

The data from the study showed that there is a significant association between overweight children, bedwetting, and obstructive sleep apnea. Scientists are unsure of why this association exists, but they suggest doctors examine the possibility of children suffering from obstructive sleep apnea if an overweight child is also suffering from bedwetting; especially if they are also suffering from other sleep apnea symptoms.

Researchers claim that a child who suffers from bedwetting is five times more likely to have sleep apnea. While unrelated, a child who suffers from being overweight is four times more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea.

If you live in the Illinois area and you suspect that your child or other family member is suffering from sleep apnea, please contact Dr. Ira Shapira, Gurnee, Illinois sleep dentist to schedule a professional sleep apnea examination.