Seasonal sensitivities and disordered breathing.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine reports that approximately two percent of otherwise healthy young children have obstructive sleep apnea, a common form of SDB that occurs when soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses and blocks the airway during sleep.

Most children with OSA have a history of snoring that tends to be loud, and may include obvious pauses in breathing, and gasps for breath. Parents often notice that the child seems to be working hard to breathe during sleep. The study involved a random sample of 687 children in grades K-5. Their parents completed a brief questionnaire, and each child was evaluated between June and November during an overnight sleep study in the sleep laboratory. Mild sleep-disordered breathing was defined as having an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of one to five breathing pauses per hour of sleep.

The most surprising thing about this study was the difference in the children's breathing during sleep, over the summer and autumn. Disordered breathing was increased over June to September and decreased from September through November. This highlights the importance of the need to be aware of the childs seasonal ensitivities and allergic reactions.

In the June 2009 issue of the journal SLEEP, Bixler and his research team reported that nasal problems such as chronic sinusitis and rhinitis are significant risk factors for mild sleep-disordered breathing in children. However, the extent to which allergies may promote a seasonal variation in sleep-disordered breathing still needs to be determined.

These findings impact on the medical and drug treatments which are used to treat children who experience disordered breathing during sleep.

Sleep disordered breathing/apnoea in children.

Sleep Apnoea is a disordered breathing pattern which occurs during sleep.

Our brains have a respiratory centre within them which regularly check the level of oxygen circulating in our bloodstreams and control our rate and depth of breathing to ensure that good blood levels of oxygen are maintained. This is not something we think about, it is a naturally occuring phenomenon.

During sleep our breathing is slowed and can be shallower than during periods of wakefulness. We require less oxygen as we are not generally active at this time. For some children, because of upper airway infection, obesity, bone structure or differences in the internal structure of the nose, mouth and throat breathing may be slightly obstructed during sleep.

The respiratory center notes a drop in oxygen levels and "nudges" the response to breathe deeper until the levels return to acceptable limits.

Some children who experience morning tiredness, snoring, regular headaches, and a variety of other symptoms are actually suffering from sleep disordered breathing. Technically, where breath is held for 10 seconds, this is sleep apnoea. In daytime these children often breathe through their mouths and do not feel rested after sleep. Review by a Consultant Ear, Nose and Throat specialist should be carried out, as removal of enlarged tonsils and adenoids can resolve the breathing issues quite quickly.

If your child has an unusual sleeping position, with their head tilted well back to allow a clearer breathing pathway, has excessive night sweats, sudden awakings related to breathing or does not seem rested after sleep this is a condition that should be considered. If your child has this problem and is treated you may find that their learning also improves along with their sleep.

If you have concerns about your child's sleep pattern, Contact Dream-Angus.com we can help you to help your child to a better sleep.