Don’t let child sleep apnoea go undiagnosed

IT AFFECTS GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, BUT MANY ARE STILL UNAWARE

Inflamed adenoid glands and tonsils, allergies, obesity, abnormal jaw and facial positioning, and passive smoking and pollution that aggravates allergies are all risk factors. “The lack of sleep is an underlying cause for many childhood concerns like obesity and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, but is still not treated.” Katie Bridle | Sleep service manager

Although sleep apnoea is commonly associated with adults, this sleep disorder could be contributing to behavioural issues and developmental delays in many children across the UAE, experts have warned.

There is, however, very little awareness about the condition affecting children even among doctors, they added.

“Because sleep is so integral to our growth and development, sleep apnoea among children is even worse than it is among adults. It changes the course of their lives, causing hyperactivity, attention deficits and fatigue while limiting their potential,” warned Dr Hady Jerdak, a leading sleep medicine expert at Harley Street Medical Centre (HSMC) in Abu Dhabi.

“These children also go on to underperform at school, and gain weight at an early age. Unfortunately, not enough parents or doctors are able to read the signs of sleep apnoea, and this means that children are not treated,” he told

Sleep apnoea is a disorder in which there are one or more pauses in breathing (apnoea), or even shallow breathing, during sleep. These apnoeas reduce the oxygen supply, waking the brain and disturbing sleep. Patients usually emit a loud snort or choking sound before going back to sleep. While there is no UAE-wide data, experts estimate that about four per cent of the adult population suffers from sleep apnoea, as in the United States.

“Sleep apnoea is associated with adults, especially adult males, so many children go undiagnosed. The lack of sleep is an underlying cause of many childhood concerns, like obesity and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but is still not treated,” said Katie Bridle, sleep service manager and lead technologist at The London Sleep Centre in Dubai.

International estimates suggest that paediatric sleep apnoea may affect five to six per cent of children, and peaks between the ages of three to six years when adenoids and tonsils develop.

Inflamed adenoid glands and tonsils, allergies, obesity, abnormal jaw and facial positioning, and factors like passive smoking and pollution that aggravates allergies are all risk factors for sleep apnoea.

Dr Jerdak said that a major concern is that sleep apnoea does disturb a child’s deep sleep, and it is deep sleep that helps develop memory and logical thinking. It also affects REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, which is important to support the development of creativity.

“Unfortunately, because most parents don’t know that sleep apnoea can affect children, they don’t approach us directly. Many patients are referred to us by hospitals,” Dr Jerdak said.

To diagnose a patient, doctors must speak with parents about children’s sleep habits, and often ask them to film children while they are sleeping so that sleep experts can assess the sleep. Parents are also taught to recognise instances when there is a pause in the child’s breathing, and a sleep study is conducted, either at a sleep lab or at home. However, specialised equipment suited to a child’s smaller stature is needed to assess children.

In the two years that HSMC has been able to conduct paediatric sleep studies, about 80 children have been diagnosed with the condition. Another 10 patients have been diagnosed at the London Sleep Centre.

“There is an increase in the number of children diagnosed with sleep apnoea, and this is mainly because more people are becoming aware of the condition and seeking help for their children. Nevertheless, it is a positive sign, because many children will be able to benefit from a good night’s sleep,” Dr Jerdak said.