Symptoms And Treatment Of Sleep Apnea In Infants

Sleep apnea in infants can be a concern for some parents. First of all, it is important to know that this problem is about more than just snoring, and it often begins right after birth. However, the breathing disorder we are going to discuss in today’s article occurs mainly during periods of rest.

Obstructive sleep apnea in infants occurs when their breathing stops for a moment. This disturbance may be partial, with some residual air passage, or total, without oxygen exchange for as long as it lasts.

This is where the severity of this condition comes from. It therefore requires immediate attention and treatment. This is because many bodily functions, including the brain, are disrupted when there is no entry and expulsion of the gases required for the metabolism to function.

Read on to learn more about this condition as well as the possible treatments.

The causes of obstructive sleep apnea in infants

The origin of this problem in young children lies in the anatomy of the upper respiratory tract. The child’s airways are smaller than those of an adult, and the limiting diameter may collapse due to the flexibility of the trachea.

Some babies have a narrower upper airway than others. This can either be due to their anatomy or recurrent infections. We must also mention that a small trachea with limited cartilage is not the same as a trachea with an enlarged tonsil.

Tonsillar hypertrophy is one of the most common causes of this condition. This lymphoid defense tissue can increase in size and prevent proper passage of air into the body, especially when lying down.

The shape of the lower jaw is also a risk factor. The shape of the air supply opening in children with smaller facial bones is different, which makes it more difficult for the air to move through this opening.

Obese babies have a double complicating factor. On one side, the fat that accumulates in the neck puts pressure on the trachea. On the other hand, their tongue increases in size, causing it to fall backwards when they sleep.

Furthermore, children with cerebral palsy are a special case. This is because one of the characteristics of this disease is a looser muscle tone that facilitates the obstruction of the patient’s airway.

Noticeable symptoms of this disorder

The signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea in infants focus on the airways. Snoring is the most common. These infants snore excessively and often as loudly as an adult.

In turn, snoring is often accompanied by a stop in breathing and rhythm. Apnea occurs when there is no inspiration or expiration, and the lung mechanism is suspended for a moment.

Parents or caregivers often detect this phenomenon, but sometimes time is not noticed. This does not mean that you have to constantly check if your child is breathing when they are asleep. This means that you should follow along from time to time, especially when it comes to their sounds.

Infants with obstructive sleep apnea breathe through the mouth instead of the nose since this mechanism facilitates the entry of a larger volume of air. It also dries out the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose, which increases thirst and the amount of nocturnal awakenings.

Long-term effects of obstructive sleep apnea in infants

What are the consequences of poor rest and poor oxygen intake during sleep?

Well, infants with this disorder tend to be more hyperactive during the day, resulting in higher calorie expenditure. In turn, this can delay proper weight progression.

A baby with obstructive sleep apnea also risks changes in the baby teeth. According to an article published in the Revista de la Asociacion Mexicana , bruxism or tooth grinding is more common among children with sleep problems.

There are also some long-term consequences that will follow them all the way to adolescence and adulthood. They are more likely to develop high blood pressure as well as cardiovascular disease. However, this is most common in obese children.

Possible treatments

The options for treating obstructive sleep apnea in infants are many and varied, and not all medical teams agree on which ones to use at all times. Among the available strategies we find:

• Nasal corticosteroids, or medications for topical application for accumulation in the nasal mucosa. These work in cases of rhinitis and should always be prescribed by a doctor.
• False tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy is the recommended route for children where tonsillar hypertrophy is detected.
• Hygiene and dietary measures can improve mild cases, so it is strongly recommended to adjust their habits. For example, adjust the position the child sleeps in, the sleeping schedule, the distribution of meals and how long it is between meals and bedtime.
• CPAP treatment equipment is reserved for severe cases that do not improve with the options we mentioned above. It consists of an injection of positive air pressure through the airways to force the oxygen to reach the lungs in the right amount. This is usually a last resort.

Is obstructive sleep apnea in infants a cause for concern?

Do not panic if your baby is diagnosed, but start treatment immediately. The infant’s developmental period is important because it lays the foundation for the rest of life.

Correct any disturbances quickly so that you avoid serious problems in the future. Your pediatrician will be able to advise you on the best treatment options as well as what you can do daily to improve the situation.