Children Snoring: When to Worry?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted with Master, Doctor Vu Quoc Anh - Pediatrician - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.
Snoring in children can lead to the risk of sleep breathing disorders and sleep breathing disorders can lead to many harms for children affecting the physical, mental and intellectual development of children.

1. Causes of snoring

There are many causes of snoring such as:
Tonsillitis, VA Throat lymphadenitis, upper respiratory tract infection Nasal congestion due to rhinosinusitis, allergic rhinitis, flu Deformed septum, nasal polyps Overweight children, children living in homes with smokers. Facial abnormalities such as palate strength, short chin. Children with narrow airways can cause physiological snoring

2. When is snoring in children worrying?

2.1. Identify physiological snoring and pathological snoring

Snoring is divided into physiological snoring and pathological snoring, in case of physiological snoring, it is a normal condition that is not worrisome, but if snoring is pathological, it is necessary to find the cause and treat it.
Physiological snoring: is a normal condition of children, the cause is usually due to the rusty nose, nasal cavity and airways of the baby at birth are small, narrow leading to air friction causing snoring. As children grow older, the nasal cavity widens, the phenomenon of snoring will disappear. If a child from 3 to 10 years old still snores, snores loudly, snores when sleeping more than 3 days a week or has sleep apnea, it is considered pathological snoring.

2.2. Effects of pathological snoring

Pathological snoring is often accompanied by sleep apnea or sleep apnea in children. Sleep apnea (SDB) refers to difficulty breathing during sleep, while sleep apnea (OSA) is repeated partial or complete obstruction of the airways.
When breathing is interrupted during sleep the body immediately recognizes this as a choking phenomenon causing blood pressure to rise, the brain to be stimulated and wake up from sleep, blood oxygen levels to decrease.
Sleep breathing disorders and sleep apnea can affect children such as:
Children do not get enough sleep, so they are often sleepy during the day, moody leading to poor concentration when sleeping, reduced learning ability Exercise and work Bedwetting Sleep breathing disorder increases urine production at night, which can lead to bed-wetting in children Growth: Decreased production of growth hormone, resulting in delayed growth and development in children. Slow obesity: Because SDB can increase insulin resistance or due to fatigue, children reduce physical activity leading to obesity Cardiovascular disease: Increased risk of hypertension, cardiovascular disorders and other lung diseases. Decreased intellectual development: Frequent lack of oxygen supply to the blood as well as to the brain leads to a decrease in the ability to learn and pay attention. Social: Affects the sleep of other children when co-sleeping.

2.3. Symptoms to watch out for

When parents see a child snoring but have the following symptoms, they should pay attention to see a doctor for examination and advice
Children snore often, panting, snorting loudly. Children wet the bed with no explanation. Children have psychological and behavioral changes such as mood swings, irritability, irritability, or daytime sleepiness, reduced academic performance.

3. How to treat snoring in children

The main cause of snoring is due to VA, inflammation of the tonsils leading to enlarged VA and tonsils that obstruct the airway. Treatment is usually considered VA curettage or tonsillectomy.
Treatment of sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, upper respiratory tract infections for children.
Measures to overcome snoring in children:
Weight loss for children with overweight and obesity. Keep your baby away from cigarette smoke Use a humidifier to increase the humidity in the room to help your baby breathe easier while sleeping. Apply physiological saline to the baby before going to bed. Practice putting your baby to sleep on their side instead of on their back. Clean the room with items such as blankets and pillows regularly, avoid allergens for the baby When you see a child snoring with abnormal signs, it is necessary to go to medical facilities for examination to provide treatment methods. .
Besides, parents should pay attention to nutrition to improve resistance for children. At the same time, add supporting foods containing lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, B vitamins,... snacks and less digestive problems.
Parents can learn more:
Why do you need to supplement Lysine for your baby?
The role of zinc - Guidelines for reasonable zinc supplementation
Please visit the website Vinmec.com regularly and update useful information to take care of your baby and family.