My 5yr old may have apnea

[concerneddad]

I'm concerned that my 5 year old may have sleep apnea. He is not obese but has slightly enlarged thyroid and subclinical hypothyroidism. During the day he is completely inattentive and is usually sleepy in the morning when he wakes up.

I've noticed him struggling to breath when sleeping, and quite restless in bed.

Before we go request a sleep study, do you think we can confirm the apnea at home? I was thinking a heart rate monitor should clearly and obviously show apnea because of the drop and sudden spike in heart rate. Is this a good idea? Is there a heart rate monitor you recommend?

[Julie]

You're talking about a 5 yr old! Get him to a doctor immediately and stop speculating about his health with strangers on a forum!

If he was an adult able to make decisions, or at least question things on his own, that would be one thing, but a relative 'baby' is not and can not and it's not up to you to fuss around here wondering if he has this or that. See a doctor now.

FWIW obesity is only a factor in some people's apnea, by no means an across-the-board one in many others (who are not at all obese).

[tiredandscared]

I'm concerned that my 5 year old may have sleep apnea. He is not obese but has slightly enlarged thyroid and subclinical hypothyroidism. During the day he is completely inattentive and is usually sleepy in the morning when he wakes up.

I've noticed him struggling to breath when sleeping, and quite restless in bed.

Before we go request a sleep study, do you think we can confirm the apnea at home? I was thinking a heart rate monitor should clearly and obviously show apnea because of the drop and sudden spike in heart rate. Is this a good idea? Is there a heart rate monitor you recommend?

I wouldn't wait. Sleep apnea does considerable damage to the brain. And a 5 year old is at increased risk. I'd book an appointment as soon as possible with a sleep specialist and get it addressed. If you've already witnessed your son struggle to breathe(Apnea/Hypoapnea) there is not much else to confirm.

If you have to do it. I'd get a pulse oximeter. But its very likely that he has OSA from what you described ( sleepy, inattentive, struggles to breathe at night). I'd say you should go get it checked as soon as possible.

[egzbuen]

Like the others have said, waste no time and have him checked asap.

Hope everything pans out well.

Sent from hell

[Julie]

'Lo again - is it possible his thyroid problem has worsened? And I wouldn't go straight to a sleep specialist on my own, but first discuss things with his own doctor because other testing, whether respiratory or ?? might be called for. You can't diagnose a child yourself, and should not push for home testing which can leave out things only visible in a lab test. It's one thing to rule out apnea (at home), another to pick up on unexpected problems in a lab set up to do that.

[ChicagoGranny]

do you think we can confirm the apnea at home? I was thinking a heart rate monitor should clearly and obviously show apnea because of the drop and sudden spike in heart rate.

This is usually done with a recording pulse-oximeter. You look for drops in blood-oxygen levels. But, lack of drops in oxygen does not rule out sleep apnea - the subject could still have a serious case.

So, what are you going to do if a pulse-ox test shows drops in oxygen levels? You are going to go to a doctor who orders a sleep study.

And, what are you going to do if a pulse-ox test shows no drops in oxygen levels? You are going to go to a doctor who orders a sleep study.

Why fiddle around trying to play doctor to your child? Take him to a real doctor now.

[yaconsult]

Sleep apnea can have different causes and treatments in children then in adults. You really need to sit down with his doctors and talk to them about all of your concerns and observations and get good medical advice that is specific to your son.

[Janknitz]

Try to get him referred to a sleep clinic that specializes in children. Many sleep clinics will claim that they can handle kids, but you want one that specifically treats children--typically they are affiliated with children's hospitals and teaching hospitals.

Expect the doctor to take a look at his tonsils and adenoids as well. Often children have enlarged tonsils and adenoids that obstruct breathing and sometimes sleep apnea will clear up after they are removed. (Some kids still need CPAP, though).

You are right to be concerned, you need to be a good advocate for your son so that he gets to experienced pediatric specialists.

[leptic]

The magic words in any decent emergency department are "child" and "difficulty breathing". These should normally get you seen right away and taken very seriously. That being said, if you can then take him to a children's hospital if at all possible (so the "child" part is understood).

Although there are a lot of great medical residents, make sure he gets seen by the attending physician before you accept a diagnosis.

[palerider]

The 'child' is 23 yrs old guys... and the father looks to be MIA.

eh?

[concerneddad]

Thank you everyone who replied. I'm seeing a doc today and will hopefully be able to schedule a sleep study soon.

Seattle Children's has a wait list that is months long. So I'll have to go with a clinic that doesn't specialize in pediatrics. But it's better than nothing. If they say they want to remove tonsils/adenoids that's surgery and I'd be pretty scared.

[Julie]

Don't be scared of a T&A, so many kids have them done, they're almost in the majority - piece of cake!

[palerider]

If they say they want to remove tonsils/adenoids that's surgery and I'd be pretty scared.

it's easy and pretty routine on kids, but a real bitch on adults.

[ChicagoGranny]

Seattle Children's has a wait list that is months long.

Have you inquired about a waiting list? Cancellations are common, and sometimes you can get in quick if you are prepared to be flexible.

[Snoozeless]

An Ear, Nose and Throat specialist would be able to tell you with the problem is a low lying palate in addition to possible enlarged tonsils and adenoids.