What Causes Sleep Apnea in Babies?

Sleep apnea is a problem that can lead to dangerous consequences if left untreated. To cope with this problem, we answered many questions such as what are the symptoms of sleep apnea in babies and how to treat it.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea, in its simplest definition, means cessation of breathing during sleep. In these situations, which last for a few seconds, awakening occurs and sleep is often interrupted, as the oxygen going to the brain decreases. Therefore, problems such as insomnia, fatigue, mental confusion arise.

Yes, as strange as it may sound, sleep apnea is a problem that can be seen in babies as well.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea in babies?

• Stubborn and very loud snoring
• Difficulty in breathing during snoring
• Difficulty breathing at night
• Contraction in neck and stomach muscles,
• Feeling like vomiting while snoring
• Don’t move a lot in bed.
• Looking tired and sleepy after a good night’s sleep
• Growth retardation.

Be sure to contact your doctor when you see any of these symptoms.

What causes sleep apnea in babies?

• The infant’s nervous system is not fully developed,
• Tonsil or adenoid enlargement,
• respiratory allergies,
• Congenital anatomical disorders in areas such as mouth, nose and chin,
• premature birth,
• baby reflux,
• Heart and blood disorders
• Down syndrome is one of the causes of apnea in babies.

What diseases can sleep apnea cause in babies?

• Asthma and lung diseases,
• Heart failure,
• Heart attack,
• diabetes ,
• Chronic kidney diseases.

How is sleep apnea diagnosed?

The cause of the problem can be understood with a detailed ENT examination. When necessary, endoscopic methods are used and detailed examination is performed up to the nasal cavity. For babies, more sensitive devices are used and the entire respiratory tract is examined.

If obstructive sleep apnea is considered, an overnight observation is usually made in the sleep laboratory. His child is admitted to a comfortable, home-like hospital. Electrodes connected to instruments that monitor breathing, heart rate, and blood oxygen levels are placed on the child in a painless way.

Irregular breathing and heartbeat combined with oxygen deficiency triggers obstructive sleep apnea. With surgical intervention, the child is provided with normal breathing. Thus, symptoms such as recurrent colds and chronic ear infections are eliminated.

How is sleep apnea treated in babies?

Sleep apnea treatment is done for the baby’s problem.

• Drug treatment for problems such as throat infection, allergies,
• Surgical intervention for tonsils and adenoids,
• If it is caused by excess weight, changing the eating habits is applied to solve sleep apnea in babies.