The Dangers of Pediatric Sleep Apnea and How Dentists Can Help

Dr. Meghna Dassani

Sleep apnea is often considered an adult disorder. But an estimated 3-6% of children also suffer from sleep apnea. And pediatric sleep apnea can cause serious problems with children’s growth and development if left untreated.

When children have sleep apnea, they experience breathing interruptions while they sleep. These interruptions last between 20 and 30 seconds and can happen up to 30 times an hour.

Breathing interruptions occur when the muscles at the back of children’s throats relax too much and block their airways.

When children stop breathing, however briefly, their bodies’ oxygen levels drop, and their carbon dioxide levels rise. This causes their brains to awaken to get them breathing again.

These awakenings usually happen so quickly that children fall back asleep before they realize they woke up. But repeatedly waking up and falling back asleep leads to poor sleep quality. And poor sleep negatively impacts children’s health, behavior, and learning abilities.

Dentists are often the first medical professionals to notice signs of sleep apnea in children.

Dentists play a pivotal role in improving children’s sleep quality so kids can get the rest they need to lead healthy, happy lives.

Pediatric sleep apnea can be difficult to spot, especially if children’s symptoms are mild or intermittent or their parents are unaware of the disorder. But dentists can help identify pediatric sleep apnea through dental exams.

What Is Pediatric Sleep Apnea?

The term sleep apnea refers to a pause in breathing during sleep. Apneas can happen dozens or even hundreds of times each night and adversely affect sleep quality. Sleep apnea can lead to daytime fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. In severe cases, it can also interfere with growth and development and lead to diabetes or heart disease.

Pediatric sleep apnea often occurs when enlarged tonsils or adenoids block a child’s airway.

Obesity can also contribute to sleep apnea. Extra weight around the neck can narrow a child’s airway.

Signs of pediatric sleep apnea include:

• Snoring

• Gasping or choking during sleep

• Difficulty staying asleep

• Night sweats

• Bedwetting

• And excessive daytime fatigue

A variety of factors can cause sleep apnea. But the most common cause is enlarged tonsils or adenoids. Other factors that may lead to pediatric sleep apnea include:

• A family history of sleep apnea

• Mouth or jaw problems that narrow a child’s airway

• Being overweight

• A large tongue

• Certain medical conditions, such as Down syndrome or cerebral palsy

Left untreated, pediatric sleep apnea can lead to the following:

• Irritability or moodiness

• Excessive daytime fatigue

• Difficulty concentrating

• Hyperactivity

• Bedwetting

• Learning difficulties

• Slow growth and development

• Speech impairments

• Obesity

• Cardiovascular issues, including high blood pressure

How Can You Screen For Pediatric Sleep Apnea?

Dentists are unable to diagnose pediatric sleep apnea. But we can screen for symptoms and let parents know if their children are at an increased risk and be proactive in caring for these kids. A common screening tool is called the QOL-18 questionnaire. This questionnaire asks about key symptoms and risk factors. This helps assess the number of risk factors a child has. During an oral exam, dentists can also screen for obstructive or developmental discrepancies that might be compromising the child’s airway.

Pediatric sleep apnea is commonly undiagnosed. And so many people are unaware of the disorder’s dangers. But sleep apnea affects all aspects of a child’s development, health, and even their behavior.

If left untreated, pediatric sleep apnea can lead to problems with growth, behavior, and learning.

Many children with sleep apnea can find relief with lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or avoiding sleeping on their backs. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the tonsils or adenoids. With proper treatment, most children with sleep apnea can get the rest they need to stay healthy and thrive.

How To Screen Kids For Pediatric Sleep Apnea

Dentists play an important role in the detection and treatment of pediatric sleep apnea. Because sleep apnea is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep, the disorder often goes undetected.

However, dentists can look for signs of sleep apnea during routine exams. For example, they can check the size of children’s tonsils and jaws to see if the tonsils are enlarged, or the jaw is small. Both of these factors can contribute to pediatric sleep apnea.

Dentists can also ask questions about children's sleep habits and any snoring or gasping that may occur at night. If a dentist suspects a child may have sleep apnea, they can refer the family to a sleep specialist for further testing.

Tips For Communication With Parents

Many parents may be unaware of the serious consequences that sleep apnea can have. So dentists need to communicate with parents about the disorder and its risks.

Here are some tips to make those conversations go as smoothly as possible:

1. Get trained!

Dentists should educate themselves about pediatric sleep apnea. The more information they get, the better equipped they will be to answer parents’ questions and address their concerns.

2. Be direct!

Dentists should be open and transparent about the risks and potential consequences of untreated sleep apnea.

3. Have empathy!

Dentists should also be sensitive to how this conversation might be difficult to hear. Parents may worry about their children’s

health and future. Or they might feel they did something wrong if their children have the disorder.

4. Dentists should offer parents helpful resources and support.

It’s good for parents to know as much as they can about the disorder. Plus, it helps to let parents know they aren’t the only family struggling with sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea affects all aspects of a child’s development and behavior. When you help a child sleep well, you change their lives, and often relieve family tensions.

Together we can all be the change for our children, our future generations.

About the author:

Dr. Meghna Dassani is an internationally educated dentist practicing in Houston, Texas. She received her initial dental training from the University of Mumbai, India, where she graduated in 1996, and she operated a successful practice there for 6 years prior to moving to the US. She has a passion for providing patients with the highest quality of care that will benefit their overall health. Screening and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in adults and children is an integral part of her practice. Her vision and goal for herself and her team are to help patients with sleep-disordered breathing get the treatment they need to live healthier, happier lives.