Prevalence of Sleep Apnea In Children
Although sleep apnea it used to be considered rare, recent studies have shown that sleep apnea is more common in children than previously thought. Sleep apnea occurs in about 1-3 percent of all children. Sleep apnea can occur at any age but peaks between two and six years of age. There is no sex difference in the prevalence of sleep apnea; boys and girls are equally likely to have sleep apnea.
Snoring is much more common than sleep apnea. Occasional snoring occurs in about 20 percent of all children and nightly snoring in about 10 percent. Thus, just because your child snores does not mean that he has sleep apnea, but he should be evaluated.
Sleep apnea, also known as obstructive sleep apnea, is a serious disorder in which there are pauses in breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea is generally thought of as a disorder that occurs in adults, but children often experience it. For some children, like Stevie, apnea is serious, and the parents, while aware of the problem, don't know where to turn for help. In many instances, however, the parents aren't even aware that their child has sleep apnea and do not seek medical help.
If you're looking for advice on how to improve child's sleep habits, please click: How To Get Your Child To Sleep In Their Bed
