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The most common cause of sleep apnea in kids include enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Other causes include obesity, low muscle tone and abnormal structures in the face, such as a deviated septum or nasal polyp or in some children with small chins, sleep apnea can be seen. Sleep apnea cannot really be prevented. However, in children who are overweight and at risk for sleep apnea, weight loss is recommended to decrease this risk. Factors for sleep apnea include a positive family history of sleep apnea or several genetic syndromes like Down syndrome, as well as abnormalities of facial structures. You can also see other risk factors such as neuromuscular disease, cerebral palsy, as well as prematurity and low birth weight. Children with sickle cell disease and children of African American descent also have a higher risk for sleep apnea. If sleep apnea is untreated, there’s several complications that can develop, including cardiac complications like hypertension or strains to the heart.
You can also have abnormal blood lipid levels as well as an increased risk for diabetes. Children with very severe sleep apnea can develop worsening respiratory symptoms and they can have abnormal oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, which are also dangerous for the heart and the brain. Sleep apnea can also cause a lot of problems even apart from medical problems. So some of these problems can include behavioral problems, hyperactivity, they can also have delays in their growth and development. Children who are older can present with being very sleepy in class and may not engage appropriately in schoolwork, which can result in poor school grades.
