Snoring in Children May Stunt Growth

Children who have breathing problems during sleep may be at risk for impairment in normal growth. This is according to a recent study published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood, in which researchers analyzed data from 20 studies.

Some 20% of children experience breathing difficulties while asleep, including snoring, mouth breathing, and apnea. It is understood that growth hormone levels naturally peak during periods of deep sleep, and breathing problems are often disruptive of these periods. Therefore, it has been suggested that sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) may affect a child’s growth. SDB is also associated with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning problems in children.

One of the main causes of SDB in children is enlarged tonsils or adenoids. The studies looked at the effects of surgical treatment, which is usually curative in this setting, on growth. The analysis showed there were significant increases in both standardized height and weight following surgery, with greater growth rates than expected.

Parents should pay close attention to noisy breathing at night or hyperactivity during the day, as these may be signs of nighttime breathing problems that could potentially stunt their child’s growth.