Causes and Risk Factors of Sleep Apnea in Children
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea in children occurs when the muscles in the back of their throat collapse. This makes it more difficult to breathe. The most common cause of this disorder in children may be enlarged tonsils. As a result, the extra tissue would result in a partial or complete blockage of the airways. Other major risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea in children include a family history of sleep apnea, having a big tongue, being overweight or obese, and having some medical issues like sickle cell disease, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, or abnormalities in the face or skull. [5]
Central Sleep Apnea
Central apnea is not common in children after the newborn period. It is mainly caused by a failure to activate the muscles that are responsible for breathing. A major risk factor for this type is to have a low weight at birth. This is also known as apnea of prematurity. Other common risk factors for central apnea in children include certain congenital abnormalities, certain medications that affect breathing patterns like opioids, and certain medical problems that affect the heart, spinal cord, or brain stem, such as stroke or heart failure. [6]
