Sleep Disordered Breathing in Children

Have you noticed that your child has difficulty breathing while asleep? In children, facial shape development may be adversely affected by mouth breathing at night. Sleep breathing disorders can also impact your child’s overall health and is linked to hyperactivity. A recently published article states that children with snoring, apnea, or mouth breathing are 40 to 100 percent more likely to suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Early evaluation for the signs of poor jaw development can play a critical role in improving a child’s oral and overall health. Mouth breathing at night affects more than just jaw and facial development. When the mouth is open, the lower jaw falls down and backward. The base of the tongue falls backward with it. This backward position of the mandible and tongue reduces the space of the airway behind it, as illustrated in the images below, showing the difference in the airway space when the mouth is open vs closed.

The medical profession now recognizes that mouth breathing is abnormal and is also one of the main contributors to Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) problems.
Symptoms commonly associated with Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) can include:

• Snoring, gasping, open-mouth posture at night
• Morning tiredness and daytime fatigue
• Developmental and behavioral problems
• Interrupted sleep
• Hyperactivity
• Withdrawal
• Executive dysfunction
• Depression
• Learning difficulties
• Social issues
• Bedwetting