My son is 2 years old. I have realised that he has got all the symptoms of sleep apnea. He breathes mainly through his nose during the day. He snores a lot. His chest expands and contracts a lot when he is sleeping. And he stops breathing sometimes during his sleep and then ends up gasping for air. He has also got pectus excavatum. I'm wondering if his sleep apnea and the way he breathes may have caused his chest to have formed so that he has now got pectus excavatum.

I took him to the doctor a week ago as I was quite alarmed about how often he stops breathing. I am now waiting for a referral to an ENT as his doctor thinks his tonsils are enlarged.

Snoek,

If he stops breathing during sleep, that is a medical emergency in a 2 year old, call your doctor and insist he be seen by the ENT As Soon As Possible!!  Make sure your doc. that your child stops breathing during sleep.

Vicki


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That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

Hi Vicki

Thanks for your reply. He only stops breathing for less than 10 seconds so the doctor thinks this doesn't affect his oxygen levels. I live in the UK so the NHS has it usual waiting lists for everything.

Snoek

Anonymous wrote:

Hi Vicki

Thanks for your reply. He only stops breathing for less than 10 seconds so the doctor thinks this doesn't affect his oxygen levels. I live in the UK so the NHS has it usual waiting lists for everything.

Snoek

Hi,

We have similar problems with our health service in Ireland. One thing I have found is that ERs seem to move a little faster where children are concerned. It's fine for your GP to say that his oxygen levels are not effected, but what about the other organs that might be effected.

With waiting lists, you have to wait. If there is an emergency and you arrive at an ER and demand attention for your child, I believe you will get it, I also believe that your child's name will move up the list quickly. We are talking about a 2 year old....how long does he have to stop breathing for.

The squeekiest wheel gets the most oil.........If it was me I'd be heading for the ER.

Daniel


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The untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferer died quietly in his sleep.......
Unlike his three passengers who died screaming !!!!!!

(Anon)

Hi Snoek:
The 10 second rule for apnea applies to adults.  We qualify apnea in kids as missing 2 breaths, which is more like 6 seconds, so 10 seconds is starting to get up there.  Children "usually" do not desaturate during obstructive apneas, but on the other hand, they are of much greater concern, so it's not a good idea to assume they aren't there until proven otherwise.  Yes, there can be a relationship between pectus excavatum and and obstructive sleep apnea.
I'd certainly push for study sooner rather than later.
sleepydave