Read on to learn more about pediatric obstructive sleep apnea treatment, consultation and surgery.

1. Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where breathing is
entirely or partially blocked in children when they are asleep. The
condition occurs because the upper airway is blocked or narrow during
sleep.
To learn more about pediatric obstructive sleep apnea risk factors and
pediatric obstructive sleep apnea surgery cost, visit our team
at Richardsons Dental and Craniofacial Hospital. We will be happy to
guide you through the process, including pediatric obstructive sleep
apnea treatment and pediatric obstructive sleep apnea surgery. We
promise to provide the best treatment for your condition.
Some of the symptoms and signs that are indicative of pediatric
obstructive sleep apnea include bedwetting, morning headaches,
growth issues, poor academic performance, excessive daytime
sleepiness, sweating during sleep, being irritable, not being able to
focus in school, restless sleep, sleeping in weird positions, loud snoring,
and breathing through the mouth while sleeping.
Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea can occur due to numerous reasons,
including obesity, low muscle tone (neuromuscular diseases), high
muscle tone (cerebral palsy), retrognathia, a growth or tumor in the

2. airway, a narrow facial bone structure, and a history of cleft palate or
pharyngeal flap surgery. The condition is more commonly seen in kids
with conditions such as Down syndrome, asthma, nasal allergies,
frequent upper airway infections, and stomach acid reflux.
PEDIATRIC OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA RISK FACTORS

3. Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea can lead to severe complications,
such as death and heart problems, and even affect physical growth. The
presence of certain conditions makes children more susceptible to
pediatric obstructive sleep apnea. This includes kids with Down
Syndrome, cerebral palsy, neuromuscular disease, sickle cell disease, a
history of low birth weight, abnormalities in the face or skull, and a
family history of obstructive sleep apnea.
HOW TO DIAGNOSE PEDIATRIC OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP
APNEA?
After a doctor detects that your child has obstructive sleep apnea, they
will probably refer them to a sleep specialist, who will collect your
child’s medical history and conduct a physical examination. They might
also proceed to other steps to determine the severity of their condition,
such as getting their sleep history to check the report of their nightly
sleeping pattern and doing an upper airway evaluation through an
instrument or x-ray.
Your child could be recommended to get a sleep study. Also known as a
polysomnogram, this test is usually conducted in the presence of an
adult caretaker in a sleep laboratory with a specialized bedroom. The
test measures your child’s heart rate, brain activity, the content of

4. oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood, the amount of airflow through
the mouth and nose, chest and abdominal wall movement, muscle
activity, and sleep interruptions. A technician helps in monitoring the
situation and taking the sensors off the child whenever required.