Sunway city: Snoring among children should not be dismissed as a minor habit as it may signal underlying sleep-related breathing disorders that can impair physical growth, cognitive development, and behavior.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City (SMC) paediatric respiratory consultant Dr. Noor Zehan Abdul Rahim highlighted that breathing problems in children can be grouped into several categories, including primary respiratory conditions such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, cardiac-related causes, and sleep-disordered breathing arising from airway-related conditions like laryngomalacia or enlarged adenoids and tonsils.
She emphasized the importance of raising awareness of sleep-disordered breathing, noting that it presents in various forms and is often associated with multiple comorbidities. Dr. Noor Zehan pointed out that children aged six to nine are at a higher risk due to growth-related changes in airway anatomy, with the risk further increased by factors such as obesity, underlying prematurity, and asthma.
'The global prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in children is about one to six per cent. However, in Malaysia, data is still limited, although cases of sleep-disordered breathing are present,' she stated. Dr. Noor Zehan explained that while snoring is common, persistent snoring occurring three to four nights a week over about three months might indicate a more serious condition requiring medical attention.
She described snoring as resulting from partial airway obstruction during sleep, which could reduce oxygen supply to the brain and disrupt sleep cycles, thereby affecting a child's development, including growth hormone secretion, metabolism, and learning processes. Untreated sleep-disordered breathing can also lead to issues with facial development and dental alignment due to prolonged mouth breathing, potentially resulting in what is described as adenoidal facies, a long facial structure that may shift how the teeth align.
Parents are advised to seek medical advice if they observe symptoms such as persistent snoring, breathing difficulties, frequent waking at night, or daytime lethargy. Dr. Noor Zehan mentioned that treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include managing allergic rhinitis or asthma, and referral to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist for further evaluation.
If the condition is due to allergic rhinitis, it needs to be treated. Enlarged tonsils or adenoids may require a visit to an ENT specialist to determine whether removal is necessary. For conditions such as obesity, additional support at night, such as CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) or BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure), may be necessary.
Dr. Noor Zehan also stressed the significance of a conducive sleeping environment, recommending a comfortable room temperature of around 25 degrees Celsius, proper ventilation, and a clutter-free space. She highlighted the need for public awareness and early intervention, including promoting good sleep hygiene among children and teenagers to enhance productivity.
'Awareness among students in school is paramount so that they are aware that adequate sleep improves productivity,' she concluded, noting that the message is timely in conjunction with World Breathing Day, observed annually on April 11 to promote greater awareness of respiratory health.