According to new
recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, all children should be
screened for snoring—and children
who do snore should receive additional testing for sleep apnea.
The recommendations
were published in the most recent issue of the medical journal Pediatrics and were based on a review of
350 studies on sleep apnea and children. “It is important for children exhibiting
signs of [obstructive sleep apnea] to get a comprehensive diagnosis … If left
untreated, [obstructive sleep apnea] can result in problems such as behavioral
issues, cardiovascular problems, poor growth and developmental delays.”
In children,
adenotonsillar hypertrophy is the leading cause of obstructive sleep apnea. The
AAP recommends that children who suffer from this condition have their tonsils
and adenoids removed.
Although snoring is
common among those who suffer from sleep apnea, most people experience multiple
sleep apnea
symptoms, and not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. This, coupled with
the dangers of sleep apnea, is why the AAP advises sleep testing for children
who snore.
There are a number of
comfortable and effective sleep apnea treatments available for both children
and adults. A dentist with experience in the field of dental sleep
medicine can help you determine if you suffer from sleep apnea and
recommend a custom treatment option such as an oral appliance.
If you or a loved one
snores or experiences other symptoms of sleep apnea, please contact IHateCPAP.com to
locate a qualified sleep dentist near you.