Can't Sleep? Extra Pounds May Keep Kids Up At Night

Ask obese children what bothers them most, and they are likely to mention the way they look or being taunted by classmates. The quality of their sleep is often the last thing on their minds. But childhood obesity may lead to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a disorder that occurs when the airways narrow or close during sleep. Children who have OSA actually stop breathing multiple times during the night.

Experts have known for decades that obesity increases the risk for OSA in adults, says Raanan Arens, MD, chief of the Division of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine at The Children's Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) and an associate professor of Pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. "Now we know that obesity can also cause OSA in kids."

Dangers of Interrupted Sleep

OSA disrupts children's sleep so often they feel tired during the day. But feeling sleepy is just one result of sleep problems — if left untreated, sleep disturbances in children may have immediate and long-term negative effects on their health. Their schoolwork and other activities may suffer, and they are at greater risk for high blood pressure, heart disease and other serious health problems. "Don't hesitate to talk to your child's physician about your concerns. Treating sleep apnea now may prevent more serious health problems later," Dr. Arens says.

Know the Signs

How can you tell if your obese child has OSA? Dr. Arens instructs parents to observe their child while he or she sleeps. Does your child snore, have noisy or labored breathing, stop breathing briefly or gasp for air? If you notice any of these symptoms, ask your child's doctor for a referral to a sleep center. Again, Dr. Arens says that daytime fatigue is another telling sign.

When Your Child Has a Sleep Problem

"If you think your child may have a sleep disorder, he or she may need a sleep evaluation," Dr. Arens says. "This will help identify your child's unique sleep patterns and disturbances." Dr. Arens oversees a number of patients at the Sleep Disorders Center at CHAM, the only full-service sleep lab and evaluation center in the New York metropolitan area devoted exclusively to children. There, CHAM's multidisciplinary team of experts provides state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment services for pediatric and adolescent sleep disorders.

At the Sleep Disorders Center, staff interview children and obtain complete medical histories. They also may perform painless overnight sleep studies to monitor and assess children's sleep.

When children are diagnosed with obesity-related OSA, doctors often recommend treatment with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device that helps keep children's airways open during sleep. They also urge patients to see a dietitian or participate in a weight-management program and stress the importance of being more active.

"We follow kids with OSA closely to evaluate their progress and adjust their treatments as their bodies grow and change," says Dr. Arens. "Kids who use CPAP and make positive lifestyle changes often see dramatic results. They feel better and their schoolwork improves."

Watch a video tour of our Pediatric Sleep Disorders Center at: www.montekids.org/services/leadership/sleep_disorder_center