It may seem innocent enough, but what are the consequences if your child snores?
In a study published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, children who snore at least once or twice per week are more likely to have symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as attention and language problems.
Finnish researchers evaluated preschoolers who were three to six years old, 43 of whom snored and 46 of whom did not. They discovered that 22% of snoring children had mood problems severe enough to warrant clinical evaluation, including anxiety and depression, compared to 11% of children who did not snore.
Brain function tests showed significant differences between the two groups, including decreased attention and language skills among the children who snored. In addition, the snorers were more likely to have other sleep problems, including nightmares, somniloquy, and difficulties going to bed.
Snoring in children may be a sign of a serious medical condition that deserves further evaluation and treatment, as the consequences can be significant.
Sources:
Li, H. and Lee, L. Sleep-disordered breathing in children. Chang Gung Med J. 2009 May-Jun;32(3):247-57.
Bhattacharjee, R. et al. Nocturnal polysomnographic characteristics of habitually snoring children initially referred to pediatric ENT or sleep clinics. Sleep Med. 2009 May 16.
Aronen, E. et al. Mood is associated with snoring in preschool-aged children. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2009 Apr;30(2):107-14.
Dayyat, E. et al. Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children: Relative Contributions of Body Mass Index and Adenotonsillar Hypertrophy. Chest. 2009 Feb 18.
Au, C. and Li, A. Obstructive sleep breathing disorders. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2009 Feb;56(1):243-59.
