Snoring in children: when to worry

In shortOccasional snoring with a cold is normal. Snoring most nights, pauses in breathing or daytime tiredness need an ENT check for tonsils, adenoids or allergy.

Some parents find a child's snoring adorable. And occasional snoring during a cold is nothing to worry about. But when a child snores loudly every night, breathes through the mouth or seems tired the next day, it is worth asking: is my child getting good sleep? As an ENT specialist, this is one of the most rewarding problems to solve, because the change after treatment can be dramatic.

Why do children snore?

Snoring happens when air squeezes through a narrowed passage at the back of the nose and throat. In children the most common reason is large tonsils and adenoids, glands that are quite big in the early school years. Nasal allergy, a blocked nose from a cold, a deviated septum and excess weight can also contribute.

When is snoring more than snoring?

Doctors become concerned when snoring happens most nights, with any of these:

• Pauses in breathing, gasping or choking during sleep
• Restless sleep, sweating or unusual sleeping positions
• Constant mouth breathing, even when awake
• Bedwetting that has started again
• Daytime tiredness, irritability, poor focus or hyperactivity
• Slower growth or trouble at school

How do we find the cause?

We start with the story and a careful examination of the nose and throat. Sometimes a small camera view of the back of the nose is used to see the adenoids, and in some children a sleep study is advised. We also look for allergy, because treating a blocked allergic nose can improve snoring a lot.

What are the options?

Dr. Rekha AR
Consultant ENT Specialist, MBBS, DLO. Sees patients Mon–Sat at CARE Speciality Clinic, HSR Layout.

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This article is for general information and does not replace a medical consultation.