It is normal for children to snore every once in a while. Recent statistics have shown that 20% of normal children snore from time to time. It was also found that 7 to 10 percent snore at night. Snoring does not always indicate sleeping disorder among children. In most cases, children who snore are just as healthy and develop the same as those who do not. However, about 2 percent of children who snore severely may be exhibiting symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).
According to the UCLA Sleep Disorder Center, sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder. Parents should be aware of their child's snoring and sleeping patterns, and should see a doctor if they notice any changes. They also pointed out that children with OSAS may snort or gasp while snoring. It is also a condition described to be a breathing that starts and stops while sleeping. Pauses in breathing indicated the throat's narrowing, or sometimes closing during sleep.
A recent Swedish study also revealed that even when parents or caregivers notice a change in the snoring patterns of the children, there are only a few who seek medical help. The research team randomly picked 1,300 Swedish children and asked their caregivers whether their children show any symptoms such as snorting or choking that may indicate sleep disorder, medicaldaily.com reports. Among the 754 who replied, it was found that 4.8 percent saw these symptoms. However, there were only 31 percent who went to their local doctors and seek medical advice.
Dr. Gunnhildur Gudnadottir, the lead author of the study from Sahlgrenska Academy located within the University of Gothenburg said in a statement that children who snore persistently may have a poor quality of life. "The study shows that awareness is low regarding the negative effects of breathing disturbances during sleep on children's health and that most parents are not aware that this is something that should be investigated," he added.
The team also noticed that it was difficult to gauge how aware parents are about the dangers of what they think is "a simple snore." However, it wasn't only parents researchers had problems with. they also found that pediatricians also are not aware of the dangers of frequent snoring. Sleep apnea in children has also been linked to poor performance in school, chronic mouth breathing and behavioral problems.
