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Lacamas Life Magazine
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Sleep
Disorders
Many adults are beleaguered by sleep disorders brought on by stress, irregular breathing, fatigue and many other issues, but sleeping disorders also affect children, and can lead to surprising findings when thoroughly researched.
According to Christy Westphal, the Lead Sleep Technologist at the Pacific Sleep Center at The Vancouver Clinic, Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) is becoming more recognized as a health problem in children.
Research is showing that approximately one to three percent of all children will have OSAS. Childhood OSAS is characterized by sleep related upper airway obstruction that is usually associated with a reduction in blood oxygen levels (SpO2), hypercarbia (which is more than the normal level of carbon dioxide in the blood) or a combination of the two.
According to Dr. Andrew Lipton, a Pediatric Pulmonolgist, at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, “OSA is a frequent, albeit underdiagnosed, condition in children, which may lead to substantial morbidity if left untreated. Important recent advances in the understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying OSA in children have been coupled with improved approaches to the diagnosis and management of OSA.”
Although sleep apnea in adults has been a known health issue for more than a century, OSAS in children is still a relatively young health disorder, as it was discovered in the 1970s. The research is still relatively new.
Symptoms of Childhood OSAS include snoring, sweating, restless sleep, bed wetting and sleeping in unusual positions.
During the day, symptoms include mouth breathing, nasal obstruction, hyponasal speech and problems with learning and behavior in school and at home.
Complications of Childhood OSAS include, says Westphal, slow growth or failure to thrive and succeed in the classroom. Conversely, when OSAS is treated properly studies have shown improved growth and a turn around in the classroom. Behavior changes and grades usually go up.
The importance of OSAS on learning and behavior is increasingly being recognized. Behavior problems such as hyperactivity and aggressiveness have been linked to OSAS, and in one case, a proper diagnosis changed the life of a child who had been diagnosed with ADHD.
“OSAS,” says Westphal, “contributes to mood swings and irritability and a lot of problems at school, so it’s important that if you recognize these symptoms to have a specialist diagnose what is happening.”
What to do if you suspect your child may have OSAS?
First, contact your primary care provider and express your concern. Explain your child’s symptoms and exactly what is happening. More than likely, you’ll be referred to a specialist.
A proper diagnosis will result from a thorough exam and in-depth diagnostic sleep studies. The sleep studies are the best way to see what’s happening. The process takes time, and will include an overnight stay at the sleep center, but is well worth the effort.
Once the studies are complete a diagnosis will be made by the specialist, and a treatment plan will be offered.
Adenotonsillectomy (getting your tonsils removed) is the most common form of treatment for OSAS in children and cures OSAS in most cases. Children with more complicated forms of OSAS may need other forms of surgery or treatment with non-surgical therapies such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), which is the most common non-surgical treatment used for children who don’t need surgery.
If left untreated, OSAS can lead to cardiopulmonary problems later in life.
To learn more about OSAS and its effects on children, call (360)397-3606.
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