Research shows a connection between common childhood health issues and sleep disordered breathing. Approximately 9.4% of children between the ages of 2 and 17 years have been diagnosed with ADHD, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders diagnosed in childhood and often persists into adulthood.
Some of the most common symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children include grumpiness, difficulty paying attention, poor behavior, and poor impulse control. However, these same symptoms can often be attributed to another condition called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, it is estimated that between 1% and 4% of children experience sleep apnea, many of them between the ages of 2 and 8. Sleep apnea occurs when a person stops breathing during sleep due to something obstructing or blocking the upper airway.
Signs & Symptoms of Sleep Disordered Breathing in Children
- Snoring, Mouth Breathing, Grinding Teeth
- Restless Sleep, Nightmares
- Stunted Growth, Dark Circles Under Eyes,
- Bed Wetting, ADD/ADHD and Difficulty in school, Aggressive Behavior, Diminished IQ
- Crooked/Crowded Teeth
- Sinus and Respiratory Problems, Allergies, Enlarged Tonsils and Adenoids, Chronic Ear Infections
- Muscle Weakness and Craniofacial Anomalies
At Manatee Family Dental, we evaluate children for signs of sleep disordered breathing and collaborate with other medical professionals as needed to get the proper care for each child. Sleep breathing disorders are often multifactorial and take a team approach.
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