Snoring Might be More Than Noisy Nuisance for Children

For many children, snoring can be more than a noisy nuisance.

"Snoring can run the gamut from being relatively minor to being a symptom of sleep apnea," said Dr. Max Hirshkowitz, associate director of the Sleep Disorders Center at Baylor College of Medicine.

Multiple sleep disturbances can keep a child from achieving a truly restful state.

"At school, these children will often wiggle around in their seats or doodle, all very subtle signs of sleepiness," Dr. Hirshkowitz said. "They become wound up, are unable to control their fidgeting and eventually stop paying attention."

Although parents might try to tune out their child's earsplitting habit, Dr. Hirshkowitz recommends getting a professional evaluation as soon as possible. A checkup can help diagnose any serious conditions and pinpoint any potential sleep-related problems.

"Many adults we treat for sleep apnea have symptoms that can be traced back to childhood," Dr. Hirshkowitz said. "Sleep problems can have a huge effect on schoolwork and parents should not wait until the ill effects surface in the classroom."

Courtesy of Baylor College of Medicine

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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