ENT conditions (Mr Gaurav Kumar)

  My Child Snores Every Night – Could It Be Sleep Apnoea? A Parent’s Guide Hearing your child snore occasionally when they have a cold is common. But what if the snoring happens almost every night ? Parents may notice their child breathing loudly through their mouth, tossing around the bed, sweating heavily or sleeping in unusual positions. Some children appear to briefly stop breathing before snorting, gasping or taking a deeper breath. Understandably, seeing this can be worrying. One of the questions parents frequently ask in paediatric ENT clinics is: “How do I know whether my child is simply snoring or actually has sleep apnoea?” Most children who snore do not have obstructive sleep apnoea. NHS Healthier Together estimates that snoring occurs in around 10% of children, whereas obstructive sleep apnoea affects a much smaller proportion. However, regular snoring accompanied by disturbed breathing or poor-quality sleep deserves assessment. This guide explains what parent...