Does your baby struggle with labored breathing, snoring, and more symptoms? It is possible that they might be suffering from a sleep disorder. Sleep is an important aspect of a baby’s growth and development. So, if they have a condition that affects their sleep, it can prevent them from getting the required amount of quality sleep. Trouble breathing and making sounds during sleep are some signs of a condition called sleep apnea. You may be wondering: can babies have sleep apnea? We will talk about it in this blog.
Can a Baby Have Sleep Apnea?
Yes, babies can experience sleep apnea. They can have obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, or both types. If your infant has both types of sleep apnea, their breathing will repeatedly slow down or stop during sleep. However, the causes of breathing pauses are different!
Sleep Apnea in Babies Symptoms
The main sign that your infant or baby has sleep apnea is a pause in breathing for at least 20 seconds during sleep, which a caregiver might observe. Sometimes, infants have less severe sleep apnea that does not produce any visible symptoms. Still, you may notice symptoms of sleep apnea in babies, such as snoring, mouth breathing, sweating during sleep, trouble swallowing, delays in development, and more.
What Causes Sleep Disorder in Babies
So, why do babies even suffer from sleep apnea? It is a common disorder in adults, but children, infants, and newborns experience it too. Babies who have low birth weight may suffer from apnea. In addition, premature babies also have a risk of sleep apnea. Generally, infants born at less than 28 weeks of pregnancy develop apnea and 50% of the infants born between 33-35 weeks of gestation. It is rare in full-term babies.
There are certain factors that increase the risk of a baby developing sleep apnea, such as:
- Small airways
- Cleft palate
- Secondhand smoke
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Neuromuscular disorders
Infants who are born prematurely may develop central sleep apnea, which is often related to an underdeveloped brainstem. Head trauma, exposure to a toxin, infections, and other factors also increase the likelihood of central sleep apnea.
Is Sleep Apnea in Babies Dangerous?
If sleep apnea is left untreated in babies, it can turn dangerous and even life-threatening. It can affect the child’s sleep architecture since the brain keeps waking the child up to breathe. When this happens often, the affected baby will not get restful sleep. The baby will not function and respond well during the day. Moreover, sleep apnea can cause long-term harm to the heart, brain, and other body parts, leading to health conditions. You can avoid this by consulting a doctor right away!
Final Note
If you think your baby might have sleep apnea, make sure to talk to a professional. They will assess the infant’s condition and proceed with the most suitable treatment.
Whole Health Dental Center provides holistic dental treatments for adults and children both. You can contact us at (703) 385-6425.