Are Healthcare Practitioners Recognizing the Signs?
Childhood sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is associated with a multitude of health problems that are still not recognized in their relationship to sleep disorders. Children with SDB present with behavior problems,[3;4]*, deficits of general intelligence,[5;6], learning and memory deficits,[7] cardiovascular markers for risk of atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome,[8]** and poor quality of life.[9]* Obesity is a large risk factor for SDB. Although that association is more notable in the adolescent, we are seeing increasing numbers of pre-teen overweight children with SDB. Pediatricians are aware of the link between SDB and large tonsils and adenoids, however, many practitioners are not aware of the increased incidence of sleep apnea in kids with midface hypoplasia (as seen in Down Syndrome), craniofacial disorders, dental misalignment or nasal obstruction. Another symptom of SDB that frequently leads to a misdiagnosis (or co-diagnosis) of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is t
