What is snoring?
Snoring, commonly known as snoring, corresponds to the sound originating from the vibration of the soft part of the roof of the mouth (soft palate) and the walls of the pharynx (commonly known as the throat), resulting from the passage of air.
Do children snore too?
Yes. According to Associação Portuguesa do Sono, snoring affects 10 to 15% of children and is often not properly valued.
It occurs more in preschool and school age, when there is the greatest growth of adenoids and tonsils, the most frequent cause of upper airway obstruction.
What are the most common causes of snoring in children?
The most common cause for childhood snoring is obstruction caused by excessive tissues in the throat, due to the fact that the child has large tonsils and adenoids.
In these cases, and when the child snores without any interruption in the breathing rhythm, it is called "primary snoring". Although it is considered a benign situation, it is indicated to be monitored, since changes in the structure of sleep can lead to changes in the child's behavior.
There are other factors that can cause or aggravate snoring:
- obesity/overweight: fat accumulation interferes with the passage of air in the airways
- Tobacco smoke: Presence in smoking environments can cause inflammation/irritation of the upper airway mucosa
- Problems associated with the respiratory system:
- deviated nasal septum, ogive-shaped palate, small or receding chin
- inflammation of the nasal mucosa caused by a cold, flu or other respiratory infection
- larger tonsils and adenoids
- allergic rhinitis
When should I start worrying about my child's snoring?
Usually, this type of snoring is temporary and eventually disappears as the child grows, and should not be a cause for concern. On the other hand, there are more serious and even serious cases of childhood snoring.
Therefore, whenever a child snores recurrently, consistently and with respiratory arrests, they should seek help from their treating physician so that other signs can be investigated and the degree of sleep disturbance can be assessed.
What is the most common sleep-disordered breathing?
The most common diagnosis is obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome, although sleep-disordered breathing can be of varying degrees of severity.
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is a disorder characterized by episodes of airway obstruction, which causes total (apnea) or partial interruptions of breathing (hypopnea) during sleep and leads to a decrease in oxygen and an increase in carbon dioxide in the body. This leads to frequent awakenings during the night, leaving sleep altered and fragmented.
There is a blockage of normal breathing due to various factors that can lead to: excessive relaxation of the muscles of the upper airway, reduction in the diameter of the airway or changes in the neurological control of the airway.
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in children impairs the quality of sleep and, as a consequence, can, among others, affect learning at school and the child's development and behavior.
In very serious situations, it can lead to growth retardation or cardiovascular complications.
What signs should I look out for when my child snores?
You should be especially attentive if your child's snoring is accompanied by:
- During sleep:
- breathing pauses (apneas)
- noisy or predominantly mouth breathing
- notion of respiratory effort
- restless sleep
- excessive sweating
- bedwetting)
- somnambulism
- Nightmares
- sleeping in awkward positions and/or complaints of insomnia
- During the day:
- difficulty waking up
- complaints of headache
- lack of appetite in the morning
- excessive sleepiness (taking naps at ages when it is no longer customary to fall asleep at school)
- behavioral changes such as irritability, hyperactivity, or aggression
- Learning Disabilities
Is it possible to treat a child's snoring?
Yes. In mild cases, specific treatment may not be necessary and it will be enough to monitor the symptoms that tend to disappear with growth, without sequelae. In any case, it is important to inform the family doctor or pediatrician when your child snores, so that there is a correct evaluation.
Treatment may include:
- oral or nasal medication for asthma or rhinitis
- nasal lavage with saline or saline solution
- diet and/or exercise in case of obesity
- correction of tooth or mouth deformity
- Healthy sleep habits (sleep hygiene)
Surgery to remove the tonsils (tonsillectomy) and adenoids (adenoidectomy) is usually indicated in children aged between 2 and 5 years with more severe symptoms of severe airway obstruction during sleep, or who have other comorbidities such as otitis media and/or recurrent sinusitis.
In very specific situations, non-invasive ventilation may be recommended, which helps children to breathe at night with the help of a ventilator, through a mask.