sleep apnea in kids...

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• by
  • LauraKW
  on Jun. 15, 2009 at 11:29 AM

• Definitely get a sleep study.  We had one done for my son because we KNEW he had sleep apnea.  Sleep study showed he didn't have apnea, so for the past year we have been trying to figure out why he stops breathing at night.  Turns out he has asthma.
  

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  • knagsmom
  on Jul. 4, 2009 at 1:51 AM

• well i found out my dd had sleep apnea at the hosptial when she was born told her pedi and he gave her a heart monitor scares the hell out of me when it goes off but has saved her life many a times we didnt have the monitor tell she was almost 3 months so dh and i took turns sleeping and watching her and ds who was 20 months when we got the montior. he comes running when it goes off and tells us sissy. he'll even wiggle her to get her going again. good luck
  

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  • Melissa0216
  on Jul. 4, 2009 at 11:51 AM

• My son was born one month premature and suffered from sleep apnea for the first month of life.  He was finally released from the NICU when he was twelve-days-old on an apnea monitor and caffeine medication to keep him from going into a deep sleep - when most apnea episodes occur. 

  Call your pediatrician immediately!  If this is truly happening, you can have sleep studies done to determine the cause of the apnea episodes - it can be as simple as acid reflux and your little one can safely be monitored using an apnea monitor that will sound an alarm when he or she stops breathing.  This is nothing to take lightly...

  EDIT: My youngest would also refuse to sleep on his back.  We co-slept exclusively for the first three months because I was so paranoid that he would stop breathing in the middle of the night.  Co-sleeping has been proven to regulate your newborns breathing - they basically pick up your breathing patterns.  We never ONCE had an apnea episode while we co-slept; only during the day while he napped.

     
  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  
  

   

  
  

  
  

  
  

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  • lynnvt
  on Sep. 7, 2009 at 8:41 AM

• This is a little long but hope it gives out hope to parents.

  I have a child with Obstructive sleep apnea and it is terribly horrifying as a parent to go through.  I noticed things starting at age 2 1/2 when about naps started to end my son who was so irritable would bite, hit and be so uncontrollable.  He would be falling asleep at the kitchen table and/or eye half mast. Obviously he couldn't not express himself and for so long my poor son was know as the problem child.  He was so shy to begin with and withdrew from groups.  My pediatrician was useless as well kept telling me he would grow out of it. It was a "stage".  As a mother I never believed it.  He was so aggressive for no reason and would literally fall to his knees in exhaustion.  When he was out of sorts in a store I would watch other parents judge me as my son had no discipline as I was giving him a hug to calm him down and let him know he would be okay.  This always worked.  He went to a play therapist which insurance did not cover we are lucky enough that we searched for the best help for him.  He worked with him for a while and even went to his pre-school and he thought besides shyness and anxiety he was perfectly fine.  Although the school did not agree because of his behavior and outbursts.  He over the years had every workup under the sun.  ADHD, ADD neurological you name it.  It was something I had to do even though I knew in my heart he was fine.  Academically he excelled he loved to do letters numbers all activities but his behavior stood out to all.  The school called constantly thus having to bring him for all these checks.  And of course I didn't want to be in denial that maybe it was something more.  I said for years this is not normal he is falling asleep and snoring and sweating as I would check on him at night.  Finally we had tonsils and adenoids removed because of constant strep which help somewhat but we still had issues.  Finally I said enough we are going to a sleep dr because that's what I always felt although my husband a little skeptical wondered could it be so simple.  Initially even the sleep dr said there is such a small chance he has it lets try an inhaler small dosage for a couple of weeks which he had been on only when sick.  Still no help and he agreed to the study.   Before the study I bought a child's monitor and put in his room and watched my son sit up numerous times during the night. Scared the hell out of me.  During the study same thing and he still snored even with tonsils and adenoids removed.  I held my breathe waiting for the results of the study after all I had been saying this is what it was all along, what if I was wrong?  Sure enough test came back positive.  My now 5 year old son was getting a total of about 4 hours sleep a night where it should be 10.  We are still awaiting the CPAP and my son does have a severe allergy to dust and dust mites that we changed things as well.  We have our fingers crossed.  The dr said he should feel a significant improvement with the machine.  I sat and cried.  My poor son known as the kid with behavioral issues who is always hugging and kissing and looking for love but instead was reprimanded by teachers and adults may finally have the health and comfort he deserves.  I have two teachers who came to me and said I knew even though we've been told not to that your son needed some hugs and he's a loving wonderful boy it brought me to tears.  I said thank you I know and thank you for giving him an open heart and mind.  This is heartbreaking as a parent.  It's hard because they need discipline yet you know why the behavior is as extreme as it is.  I try to imagine as an adult getting only 2 hours sleep a night for an extended period of time and here my little boy has no clue why he feels the way he does.  I know this is a long road for us and hopefully the dr. feels he will grow out of this.  I just hope he get the sleep and positive attention from others instead of being viewed as the trouble boy.  I hope other parents who have children stick it out.  My dr travels around the country treating children and says most children diagnosed with ADD or ADHD are found o have a sleeping disorder.  I cannot imagine how many children out there that dr put on medication for ADD or ADHD that don't really have it.  I'm still battling this but will keep on taking the looks from other parents and teachers until my son makes it through this.  Thanks for reading.
   
  Loving mother of John

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• by
  • duejan13th
  on Sep. 7, 2009 at 9:08 AM

• son was 2 months early.. He had apnea untill he was 5 weeks old. even though he stopped having it they sent him home on a apnea monitore at 6 weeks old. he kept that thing on almost 24-7 the first 4 months. after that he had it on while sleeping untill 10 months old. It is so scary when your child stops breathing. . .

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