Sleep-disordered breathing in children ranges from simple snoring through to obstructive sleep apnoea, where the airway is partly or fully blocked during sleep. Snoring alone does not mean a child has obstructive sleep apnoea, and assessment helps work out whether further investigation or treatment is needed.
The most common cause in children is enlarged tonsils and adenoids narrowing the airway during sleep. Other factors, such as nasal obstruction, can also contribute. Not every child with large tonsils or adenoids has obstructive sleep apnoea, and the decision about whether treatment is needed depends on symptoms and, where relevant, further assessment rather than the appearance of the tonsils alone.
Some children have other factors that contribute to sleep-disordered breathing, including weight, craniofacial differences or neuromuscular conditions. Children with more complex airway or medical problems may need broader assessment through paediatric sleep medicine or a paediatric ENT subspecialist.
Further assessment may be appropriate if your child snores regularly and also has symptoms such as:
Occasional snoring on its own does not necessarily mean that a child has obstructive sleep apnoea. The pattern, persistence and combination of symptoms help determine whether further assessment is appropriate.
Some children require assessment by a sleep medicine practitioner and possibly a sleep study before a decision about treatment is made. For a Medicare-funded sleep study, children under 12 must have the need for the investigation determined by a qualified paediatric sleep medicine practitioner. For adolescents aged 12 to 17, this may be determined by either a qualified paediatric or adult sleep medicine practitioner. Dr Crawford will arrange an appropriate referral if a sleep study is required to help guide treatment.
Treatment depends on the likely cause, the pattern and severity of symptoms, examination findings and, where relevant, the results of further assessment such as a sleep study.
Detail on the surgical option itself, including recovery, is covered on the paediatric tonsillectomy page.
Dr Crawford consults at two locations across Sydney.
Dr Crawford sees children with snoring and sleep-disordered breathing at Sydney ENT Clinic in Darlinghurst and Kogarah. If your child has had a previous sleep study, specialist assessment or other relevant investigation, please provide the results before the appointment where possible. A valid referral from your GP or another medical specialist is required to claim Medicare rebates.
Our team can assist with appointment enquiries and help arrange a consultation with Dr Julia Crawford at one of her three Sydney consulting locations:
Dr Julia Crawford consults for head and neck conditions, head and neck cancer, thyroid and salivary gland disease, obstructive sleep apnoea, paediatric ENT and selected general ENT problems.
Her team can assist with arranging an appointment at Darlinghurst, Kogarah or Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, and will help ensure the appropriate information and investigations are available before your consultation.