What is it?
Breathing is silent in health. Pediatric sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is a general term for a child’s difficulty breathing while asleep. It may range from mild turbulent breath sounds (like snoring) to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition where the airway is partially or completely blocked.
- Reported in 10–25% of typically developing preschool-aged children
- More frequent in children with neurodevelopmental disorders
What are some symptoms of SDB?
Nighttime:
- Snoring or “turbulent” breath sounds
- Bedwetting
- Frequent waking and fragmented sleep
Physiologic:
- Cardiovascular issues
- Obesity
Daytime:
- Sleepiness
- Neuropsychiatric and developmental issues
- Irritability
- Learning difficulties
What are some causes of SDB?
SDB occurs when the airway is smaller or less rigid than necessary to provide adequate airflow/oxygen. Causes include:
- Anatomy: Inadequate jaw/face growth or excess soft tissue (tonsils, tongue, fat deposits)
- Function: Poor muscular tone or posture
An airway-focused dentist can help detect and sometimes treat these issues.
What are some possible treatments for SDB?
First-line medical management is directed by your primary care physician and may include:
- Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy to increase airway space
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
Other less invasive options:
- Dental appliances to change jaw size or position
- Myofunctional therapy (mouth muscle physical therapy) to improve tone and airway function
- Frenectomy to improve tongue posture and function