How dangerous is sleep apnea in toddlers?

The term ‘apnea’ is a Greek word that translates into ‘without breath’. Sleep apnea, a sleep disorder in which regular breathing is interrupted by pauses that can last from a few seconds to a few minutes, can be experienced as many as 30 times an hour. It is difficult to diagnose as the sleeper is usually unaware of the disorder.

Toddlers can experience Obstructive Sleep Apnea, considered the most dangerous type. It occurs when the airway is completely blocked, so that the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide cannot take place. The brain senses danger and signals the body to wake up and take air in.

In toddlers, this disorder is usually caused by their tonsils or adenoid glands found just behind the nose. Children between the ages of 3 and 6 have fully formed tonsils and adenoid glands, so that they may be large in comparison to small airways that are still growing.

The most revealing symptom of sleep apnea is snoring, but this alone shouldn’t be cause for alarm as most toddlers will snore in their sleep. However, if this is combined with pauses in breathing lasting longer than ten seconds, and sleep disrupted by choking, gasps or coughs, then sleep apnea could be the problem. It can cause toddlers to be tired during the day, or irritable due to lack of sleep.

Sleep apnea is usually outgrown by most toddlers, but while it continues it can be dangerous. Disrupted sleep can hinder the growth of toddlers, because they are unable to benefit from the growth hormones released at night, during restful sleep. In severe instances, when sleep apnea has gone untreated for a long period of time, the reduction of oxygen supplied to the body can result in heart and lung problems, learning and behavioral difficulties and high blood pressure.

Removing the tonsils and adenoid glands of toddlers with sleep apnea is the most recommended solution for this disorder.