Infant Sleep Apnea
Infant sleep apnea has been linked to some cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS),
although the exact relationship is still uncertain. On going research is going on,
evaluating the role of sleep apnea as a possible factor in SIDS.
• Sleep apnea may be present in children who are overweight and
those who have enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Children with sleep apnea may snore, squeak,
have difficulty breathing, and sleeping fitfully. Since it is not normal for a child to
snore, parents should report their child’s snoring to a health care provider.
• Older children who have sleep apnea may seem sluggish and may
perform poorly in school. Sometimes they are labeled “slow” or “lazy”.
Premature babies are at a higher risk of having sleep apnea
WHAT CAUSES SLEEP APNEA?
Muscles relax more during sleep than waking hours, including the muscles used in
breathing. In some people the throat muscles used in breathing relax too much, this
relaxation interferes with breathing and makes sleep a time of increased risk. In some
cases, the trouble lies in the part of brain that controls breathing during sleep; the
brain appears to forget to send out the necessary instructions to the muscles that control
breathing.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
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