Sleep Apnea in Infants Has Many Risk Factors and Symptoms
Sleep Apnea in Infants is Rare, But It Is Something Parents Should Know About
December 21, 2016Sleep Apnea in Infants Requires Specific Diagnosis and Treatment Plans
December 28, 2016Very small infants who are born prematurely often suffer from infant sleep apnea during their early bit of life. In
fact, more than 80% of babies who weigh less than 2.2 pounds at birth will suffer from some type of apnea during their development. For babies weighing more than 2.3 pounds, but less than 5.5 pounds, the risk is only 25%. Full-term infants rarely suffer from any type of apnea at birth, but it is still good for parents to know about, just in case.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea in Infants
When delivering a baby in Columbus, Ohio, the last thing you want to worry about is that baby’s ability to breathe. However, that is precisely what some parents end up worrying about because after delivery, their new son or daughter struggles to breathe while sleeping. This is commonly known as sleep apnea in infants. Infants can show numerous symptoms when they are struggling with apnea, including pauses in their breathing while asleep that last at least 20 second, but can extend up to a minute, repeatedly having these pauses while they sleep, and having other physical issues related to not breathing right.
The other physical problems could include having an abnormally low heart rate or having low oxygen levels. In the most severe cases of sleep apnea, your baby could also have required urgent measures to resuscitate them or keep them alive due to not breathing properly. If you notice any of these symptoms, you need to make sure that you go in and speak with your child’s pediatrician as soon as you can make an appointment, as this is not a problem you want to leave untreated.
Risk Factors for Having Infant Sleep Apnea
If your child has any number of these risk factors, then you should be on the lookout for infant sleep apnea. It may appear with only one of these risk factors, or your child may have numerous risk factors but never develop apnea. It is just a general guideline to watch for, just to be on the safe side.
Babies with GERD or acid reflux are more prone to developing sleep apnea as the acid rises up your infant’s esophagus. Premature babies, which are smaller in their overall development, are at higher risk for having sleep apnea. Any baby that is born small can have a higher risk for apnea, too, since their airways are going to be smaller to match their body.
Any baby that has had to undergo any type of anesthesia could be at a higher risk for sleep apnea. The anesthesia is going to slow down the body’s responses, causing potential issues with breathing, too. Some medications can also decrease a baby’s breathing, causing apnea symptoms.
If a baby was born with any type of drugs in their system, it could lead to problems with sleep apnea. This is especially true while the baby is being weaned off of the drugs that were in their system. Even if the drugs were prescribed to keep the mother safe during her pregnancy, they can still affect the baby once he or she had been born, and breathing problems is one of the most common signs.
Some medical disorders also put babies at higher risk of sleep apnea problems. If your baby was born with a metabolic disorder, a neurological problem, or even a disease affecting the lungs, sleep apnea symptoms may be common to witness in the breathing patterns of your child.
Getting Sleep Apnea Diagnosed Requires a Professional Who Knows What to Look For
If you believe that your infant may be suffering from sleep apnea, you need to make sure that you take them somewhere that knows what to look for. Just taking them to a pediatrician is not typically enough, but it could give you the referral you need to get your infant in to see a specialist. You may need to go in and see a doctor that specializes in ear, nose, and throat ailments, or you may be referred to a dentist who is a specialist in sleep apnea in people of all ages.
They will then listen to the lung functions of your infant, and decide if a test to determine if sleep apnea is a problem, is actually necessary. Sometimes, they are able to see enough through preliminary tests to be able to give you a pretty good idea if your child has apnea or not, while other times they need to do further tests. Once a diagnosis has been reached, if your child has apnea, you will have to speak with the specialist about what types of treatment are going to be best suited to help your child.