My child is snoring. Should I be worried?

Sleep is vital for childhood development, so it’s no surprise that many parents are concerned if their child snores. If the snoring only happens occasionally, there is no need to worry. But if it is frequent or severe, then it may mean that your child has obstructive sleep apnoea. The effects of this on a child can include disturbed sleep, poor daytime behaviour and difficulty learning at school. So if you are worried about your child's snoring, you should make an appointment to see an ENT specialist as soon as possible.

What is obstructive sleep apnoea?
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is when a child briefly stops breathing while sleeping. It happens because of a blockage in the upper airway. The pause in breathing may occur many times in a night, disrupting the child’s sleep. The condition is most commonly found in children ages 3 to 6.

What are the symptoms of OSA in kids?
​During sleep, you might notice the following:

• Snoring
• Frequent awakenings from sleep
• Restless tossing and turning
• Mouth breathing
• Choking or coughing during sleep
• Noticeable pauses in breathing often with a ‘snort’
• Bed-wetting

​​​During the day, you might notice the following:

• Tiredness
• Falling asleep in school or napping at unusual times
• Attention problems or poor performance in school
• Hyperactivity and other behavioural problems
• Personality changes such as being moody, cranky or irritable
• Headaches, especially in the morning, upon waking

​So why does OSA in children matter?
Over time, sleep apnoea can have significant effects on your child. Fatigue can lead to poor concentration and the inability to function during the day. This leads to poor school performance. It can also cause hyperactivity and mood swings.
Due to reduced oxygen intake through the night, children can experience growth or developmental delays in severe cases. Paediatric sleep apnoea is also associated with heart problems, high blood pressure and childhood obesity, and can have an impact on brain function and intelligence.

What is the treatment of paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea?
Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. An overnight sleep study is often conducted to find out how severe the condition is.
The treatment for OSA is based on the cause. It may include:

• Surgery to remove enlarged tonsils and adenoids (known as adenotonsillectomy). This is the most common treatment for moderate or severe OSA.
• Intranasal steroid sprays may help children with mild obstructive sleep apnea caused by swelling of the lining of the nose (chronic rhinitis) or enlarged adenoids.
• Leukotriene receptor antagonists (e.g. montelukast) have also been found to be useful in mild OSA.
• Staying away from second-hand smoke, indoor pollutants, and allergens is important for children who have chronic rhinitis.
• Weight loss may help if your child is overweight.
• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). This is a machine that delivers a steady stream of air (via  special mask) to keep the child's airway open. Some children may have trouble getting used to the mask.