JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — Do you snore? Have trouble staying asleep? Wake up tired? You are not alone! Almost 39 million men and women in the US suffer from sleep apnea. But it’s not a problem impacting only adults. Up to five percent of kids also suffer from sleep apnea – even infants can have it. But just like in adults, kids with sleep apnea often go underdiagnosed or even misdiagnosed.
To do their best here and here and here … it all has to start here!
But is your child getting enough sleep? Infants need at least 14 hours of sleep, toddlers 11 to 14 hours, preschoolers 10 to 13. If your child is in elementary or middle school, they need nine to 10 hours of sleep, and teens should aim for eight to 10 hours. If your child is not getting enough zzz’s, sleep apnea could be to blame.
Eric Viorritto, MD, Pediatric Neurologist says, “We know this from studies. We know that children with obstructive sleep apnea are anywhere from three to five times as likely to perform poorly academically, up to seven times as likely to have behavioral issues at school.”
But it is often misdiagnosed.
Doctor Viorrito says, “Sleep apnea, especially in our school aged children can look exactly like ADHD.”
A report from the American Sleep Apnea Association suggests that as many as 25% of children diagnosed with ADHD may actually have symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea.
Adam Rappaport. MD, Child Neurologist at Nemours Children’s Health explains, “The longer it goes untreated, the more complicated their symptoms can be.”
Obstructive sleep apnea causes snoring, daytime fatigue, and difficulty concentrating, mimicking many symptoms of ADHD. But if sleep apnea is left untreated, it increases cardiovascular risk.
Doctor Viorritto says, “Someone who’s gonna be 27, 28 years old and now struggling with health problems that could have been prevented, you know, that’s a real tragedy.”
That’s why knowing the difference can make all the difference.
Most importantly, most kids don’t snore. So, if they do on a regular basis, parents should talk to their pediatrician. A correct diagnosis will involve an overnight sleep study.
Doctors say the first line of treatment for children is often removing their tonsils and adenoids.
Contributors to this news report include: Marsha Lewis, Producer; Chuck Bennethum, Editor, Matt Goldschmidt and Roque Correa, Videographers.
Sources:
https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/sleep/sleep-apnea-statistics/
* For More Information, Contact: Leah Goodwyne, PR Specialist
Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville
904-676-2229
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