• Snoring is the sound made due to Obstruction of breathing pathway

• When a child breathes, the air travels all the way from nose to lungs through the breathing tube.

• During this process, the air gets cleaned by hairs in the nose, humidified (moisture).

• There are various structures that are present in the breathing tube which when enlarged, causes blockage in breathing.

• Partial blockage causes noisy breathing.

• This can lead to lower oxygen content in the body and higher carbon dioxide content and disturbed sleep due to increased work of breathing.

• This snoring is more prominent during sleep as the muscles in the nose and mouth relax as we are not conscious

SYMPTOMS

• Snoring- Noisy breathing

• Increased work of breathing

• Sleepiness or lethargy during the day as child did not have a good night sleep

• There is risk for long-term problems like behaviour problem, aggression, poor body growth, increased blood pressure

   

RISK FACTORS

• Obesity in child.

• Family history of snoring

• Deformities in the face

• Large Tonsils or adenoids

DIAGNOSIS

• The history helps to diagnose the condition

• The inner mouth is visualised by doctors to see for obvious tonsil enlarged

• Occasionally your doctor might ask for tests- Polysomnography – to check the breathing efforts, brainwaves and oxygen levels during sleep

TREATMENT

• If tonsils or adenoids are enlarged, they have to be removed. especially if they have below conditions

• CPAP- Continuous positive pressure- this is a machine that continuously delivers air with pressure . This can be given though a tiny mask attached to nose.

• Weight reduction if that’s the cause in obese children

DANGER SIGNS( see your doctor immediately if any below features)

• If snoring for more than 3 nights a week.

• If increased work of breathing

• If stoppage of breathing 

• If bedwetting

• If a change in colour, becoming blue or pale

• If behaviour problems