In the past, the "baby sleep apnea" was thought to be a great danger for sudden infant death, but recently the experts have found no connection with it.
Even though, if sleep apnea is not cured it can obstruct growth and minimizes the heart rate. So, sleep apnea is a disaster, which obstructs the breathing process several times while sleeping.
Sleep Apnea Types
The first one is recognized by “Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)”. In this type, the upper
airway gets blocked.
Second
one is “Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)”. It is not caused by blockage rather
breathing muscles do not receive signals from the brain.
Third
one is called “Mixed Apnea”. It is caused by the combination of both central
and obstructive sleep apnea.
Baby sleep apnea is more widespread in premature babies who were born earlier than
expected (37 weeks). In this case, it is known as “apnea of prematurity”. It is
recognized as “apnea of infancy” if a baby is born as expected (37 weeks) or sometime later.
Baby
Sleep apnea is higher in children who have “down syndrome“and other inherited
symptoms related to the upper airway. The majority (more than half) of such children
build up Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
Reasons for Sleep Apnea
in Babies
Often an obstruction in
the airway or immature brain stalk that is responsible to regulate breathing is
accountable for babies’ sleep apnea. Several other reasons may include:
- Trouble with blood vessels or heart
- Disturbance in body chemistry, for instance, inaccurate glucose or calcium amounts.
- Gastrointestinal difficulties such as reflux
- Respiratory illness
- Any type of infection
- Any defect by birth
- Contact with poisons or drugs
- Inside brain bleeding
Signs of Sleep Apnea in
Babies
Breathing
stops for 20 or more seconds in several babies having sleep apnea, while
breathing stops for less time in several others and they may show symptoms of
slower heart speed while sleeping, or they may turn out blue or pale or may
develop limp.
Important:
It is common in newborn babies less than six months old to undergo an infrequent
pattern of breathing. This type of pattern is known as ‘periodic or cyclic
breathing’ and it usually begins with fast breaths, and then slows down and
then 5-10 seconds break in breathing. This pattern repeats itself on and on and
there is nothing to be afraid of this pattern. Babies correct this pattern by
the age of 6 months or older.
Sleep
apnea can bring about grave intricacies and in some situations, it can be
deadly – particularly in babies who were given birth earlier than 28 weeks
conception.
The
carbon dioxide level rises in the blood and oxygen level decreases as soon as
the baby discontinues breathing. Heartbeat might also drop severely and the
baby may undergo unconsciousness and required to be revived again.
A baby the physician will carry out physical and various other tests for knowing the
oxygen level in the blood and also observe his heart rate and breathing
patterns. The physician may also carry
out an X-ray test.
The physician
may pass on you to a lung, sleep or apnea professional for more in-depth
examination of your baby.
Polysomnogram
is an examination that is generally used for diagnosing sleep apnea. It is a
simple test carried out in a sleep laboratory under examination by skilled
professionals. It checks breathless sounds and snoring while baby at sleep and
also monitors several other things such as level of oxygen in the blood, breathing
patterns, movements of eyes and brain waves, etc.
Treatment of Sleep Apnea
Treatment
depends on the severity of the disease. The baby specialist may recommend you to
use the home monitor for monitoring heart rate and breathing process of your baby.
Medication may also be suggested for stimulating the main nerve system.
A
CPAP machine is needed in several children to keep the air passages unlock
by driving air through the nose with the help of a mask while at sleep. However,
the signs of central sleep apnea are not normally relived by this machine.
Luckily,
babies suffering from sleep apnea hardly ever have any long-lasting impediments
and the sleep apnea symptoms generally disappear automatically as the affected baby
grows. Mostly earlier born babies show no signs of apnea before 44 weeks
gestation.
Stroke or
push so that your baby may respond. If no response is seen, immediately call
emergency. If the body or forehead of your baby turns out blue, he might be unsafe.
Though it’s normal for baby’s mouth, feet or hands to turn blue especially when
he is weeping or suffering from cold.
Immediately,
start giving first aid and call for urgent help. Continue repeating the process
until help arrives or baby resumes breathing. Parents need to know about first aid. So, seek first aid training from a nearby hospital or any
other such local source.
References:
Tags:
Sleep apnea in babies NHS
Can a child die from sleep apnea
Toddler sleep apnea pillow
Sleep apnea in children natural treatment
Pediatric sleep apnea guidelines
Does my child have sleep apnea Quiz
Infant sleep apnea symptoms
Baby sleep apnea reflux
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