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Not-So-Silent Night:
Children and Snoring By Carma Haley
"My oldest son has snored since the age of 6," says Carrie Eichler, a mother of three from Ashland, Ohio. "When it began to wake him up every night and he ended up being tired the next day, I knew it was time for him to see a doctor."
The presence of intermittent snoring -- when it only occurs from time to time -- does not indicate the presence of obstructive sleep apnea. Children who have frequent chest colds, sore throats or allergies may snore during these times but do not snore on a regular basis. It is the children who tend to snore every night regardless of their health that may need medical intervention, Sheldon says.
The signs and symptoms of snoring or obstructive sleep apnea may help in determining whether or not a child may need medical intervention. These signs and symptoms include:
- The presence of snoring, whistling or low pitched wheezing coming from the throat during sleep
- Restless movements or sleeping restlessly
- Frequent headaches in the morning upon waking
- Problems with memory or concentration
- Extreme daytime sleepiness that continues regardless of change in bedtime or waking time
If the signs and symptoms persist longer than a week, parents should seek medical attention and perhaps a referral to a sleep disorder center.
"I think the best place to start is the pediatrician," says Sheldon. "The pediatrician would do a comprehensive evaluation and would make appropriate recommendations. There are pediatric sleep medical centers available throughout the U.S. They are accredted sleep disorder centers that only see children and specialize in pediatric sleeping disorders."
