Pediatric Sleep Apnea

Overview

Pediatric sleep apnea is a breathing problem that occurs when a child's upper airway narrows during sleep. Pediatric sleep apnea typically differs from adult sleep apnea in several ways. Children often have only short episodes of disrupted breathing that lead to frequent breaks in sleep.

Snoring, mouth breathing, restless sleep, bed-wetting, feeling tired upon awakening, daytime inattentiveness, mood swings and hyperactivity are common symptoms of pediatric sleep apnea. Enlarged adenoids or tonsils often cause pediatric sleep apnea. However, other conditions, such as muscle weakness, obesity and head and facial abnormalities, can also cause sleep apnea in children.

Why choose Mayo Clinic

Doctors from the Center for Sleep Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota have special expertise in treating pediatric sleep apnea. Doctors trained in pediatrics, neurology, pulmonary medicine, psychiatry and psychology, otorhinolaryngology, orthodontics and oral and maxillofacial surgery diagnose and treat children who have sleep apnea.