Barry J. Litwin, D.D.S., F.A.G.D.

Baby, Do You Snore!

A lack of restful sleep has a serious impact on your child's growth and well-being. About 2 percent of children who have difficulty breathing or who snore might have sleep apnea, the same condition that affects many adults.

Too many cases of pediatric sleep apnea go undiagnosed.

A child who has Down Syndrome or cerebral palsy is especially vulnerable to sleep apnea.

Two percent isn't a large number unless it is your child. If your child snores night after night, has a sunken-looking face, dark circles under the eyes, is sleepy and cranky during the day, you may have cause for concern.

There is no reason to be overly anxious if your child snores; most children between the ages of 3 and 6 snore. However, if your youngster displays other symptoms, we need to do an examination right away. Some other symptoms to be alert for include—

• weight loss or inability to gain weight,
• restless sleep,
• inability to pay attention,
• aggressive behavior, and
• mouth breathing.

If your child is diagnosed with sleep apnea, we will work as a team with the other medical specialists who will treat your child. Treatment ranges from surgery to mechanical breathing devices; however, there are some instances when an orthodontic device is the best treatment choice.

If you have a question or concern, we can help keep that pixy smile on your child's face.