You may be startled to hear loud snores coming from your child's bedroom, but those sounds aren't all that uncommon. About 10 percent of kids snore, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Kids snore a variety of reasons, some of which are harmless and temporary and others which should be treated. If you are concerned about your child's snoring, your best bet is to talk to your pediatrician who can advise you on what steps to take next.
Physiology
Snoring occurs when air can't move freely through a person's nose or mouth during sleep, says the Nemours Foundation. The sound is created when structures in the mouth---the soft palate, the tongue, the upper throat, the uvula, the tonsils and the adenoids---vibrate against each other.
Common Causes
Seasonal allergies, colds and sinus infections commonly cause snoring when they block the nasal passages, according to the Nemours Foundation. Another cause of snoring is a deviated septum, which occurs when the tissue and cartilage between the nostrils is crooked. Being overweight and having enlarged adenoids and tonsils can also impede narrow the air passage and cause snoring, says the Nemours Foundation.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Snoring is a symptom of a sleep problem known as obstructive sleep apnea, which affects 1 to 2 percent of kids, according to BabyZone.com. A child with sleep apnea has irregular breathing during sleep, and he may stop breathing for short periods up to 300 times every night, which can lead to daytime headaches, exhaustion, irritability and trouble focusing, says the Nemours Foundation. Many cases of obstructive sleep apnea are due to enlarged tonsils or adenoids, but kids who are overweight or have a receding chin or cleft palate may also have obstructive sleep apnea, according to WhattoExpect.com.
Prevention
You can help prevent some causes of snoring by teaching your child to blow his nose before bedtime, treating your child's seasonal allergies and eliminating bed allergens such as feather pillows and stuffed animals, says BabyZone.com. You can also give your child an extra pillow to keep his head elevated, relieve congestion and clear his breathing passages during sleep, according to WhattoExpect.com.
Seeing a Doctor
If your child's snoring persists despite your efforts to keep her air passage clear during sleep, schedule a doctor's appointment. He can give you some pointers and check your child's nose, tonsils and adenoids to determine whether she requires extra treatment. Tell the doctor if your child has had labored breathing and momentary breathing lapses followed by gasps and choking; these are clues that she could have sleep apnea, says BabyZone.com.
