Did you know that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends any child with snoring to have a diagnostic sleep study? It is not normal for your child to snore and the snoring alone causes delays in cognitive development.
The human body requires an uninterrupted flow of oxygen to fully develop and rejuvenate from the previous days activities. Growth hormones are released during deep sleep thus making it essential to have proper breathing to prevent impaired or delayed development.
Does your child snore, display behavioral problems or have difficulty concentrating on paying attention? If so, your child could be one of the millions of children suffering with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
- Habitual snoring occurs in 7-13% of preschool and school aged children
- OSA is present in 2-3% of all 2-8 year olds
- Peak incidence occurs at ages 4-10
There is a 70% overlap between snoring and apnea in children. The numbers are staggering and the reason the American Association of Pediatrics ‘Practice Parameter’ recently stated that all children should be screened for snoring. As part of a routine health care maintenance for all children, pediatricians should ask whether the patient snores. An affirmative answer should be followed by a more detailed evaluation.
Children with OSA can be frequently diagnosed as having ADHD and placed on medication when in fact their problems are being caused by sleep deprivation.