Apnea in Children Aggravated by Excess Weight

Apnea, the disorder when an individual experiences pathological disruptions of regular breathing, often occurs during sleep in which case it is referred to as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). The cessation of breathing can last a minute or even longer and is often accompanied by loud snoring.

Sleep apnea in children is closely linked with the size of the tonsils and is generally treated by removal of the tonsils and adenoids (an operation called adenotonsillectomy). In adults the disorder is usually aggravated by obesity. The influence of obesity in children has been studied but recently.

A study published in Thorax investigates into the cases of OSA in children.

Naturally, large tonsils remain the main indication of the OSA risk and are found in 53 per cent of cases. But the majority of the children participating in the research showed their condition worsened by excessive weight.

The researchers wish to impress on parents and physicians that children who have large tonsils and waistlines be checked for the symptoms of OSA for timely prevention of possible complications. They also accentuate the importance of weight control in the management of bad cases of sleep apnea.

Source of the image: flickr.com/photos/clash.