Does your child snore loudly, breathe through their mouth, sweat heavily, or have periods of not breathing during sleep? Does your child have difficulty learning in school or sleep in odd positions to keep the airway open? If your answer is “yes” to any of these questions, your child may have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
More than two million children in the United States suffer from sleep apnea, a treatable condition in which your child’s breathing is briefly and repeatedly blocked during sleep, reducing the amount of oxygen available to the brain and heart and severely disrupting sleep.
Signs and symptoms of sleep apnea in children can include:
- Bedwetting
- Being hyperactive
- Being unusually sleepy during the day
- Frequent infections of the tonsils, adenoids, and/or ear
- Heart problems
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Irritability
- Learning disorders and behavioral problems, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Morning headaches
- Poor growth (“failure to thrive”)
- Problems with cognition and school performance
Due to the health and safety concerns posed by sleep apnea, the condition should be evaluated and treated by doctors with specialized expertise in sleep apnea and related sleep and health conditions. The sleep medicine experts at the University of Miami Health System are experienced in diagnosing and treating sleep apnea in children.
Why Choose UHealth?
Regional leaders in sleep medicine and sleep surgery. As a fully accredited comprehensive sleep center, our program meets and exceeds the rigorous standards set by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. This designation recognizes our facility, services, and providers for the highest commitment to safety and quality care.
Multispecialty care customized for your good health and overall wellness. Depending on your condition, your team can include ear, nose, and throat doctors (ENT), pulmonologists (lung specialists), neurologists, psychiatrists, and weight management specialists with special expertise in sleep disorders. You receive the best care possible when we’re all working together for you.
Sleep studies offered 24/7 in a state-of-the-art sleep center. You can rest assured that you receive the most advanced care available. Sleep studies and tests are conducted in a modern, comfortable center — including the latest technology and a friendly, knowledgeable staff.