Newborns and Infants

During fetal development (before birth) your child?s brain slowly matures to a point that it can orchestrate control of breathing. However, it is sometimes the case that the brain does not mature fast enough and control of breathing is not ideal. The result is apnea of infancy.

This manifests as pauses in breathing that can be accompanied by drops in blood oxygen levels. This process may go on for several years following birth in some children. If you notice your infant or young child experiencing prolonged pauses in breathing, consultation with a sleep specialist can clarify if there is anything to be concerned about. If apnea of infancy is discovered, additional workup may be required and supplemental oxygen or medications may be prescribed while the child is periodically monitored to ensure that nature takes its course and the problem corrects itself with maturation of the brain.

Also during fetal development the jaw sometimes starts off undersized relative to the tongue. When this is the case, pauses in breathing associated with noisy breathing may occur. This suggests that the tongue may be blocking off the airway while the child is asleep. In this circumstance a sleep specialist should be consulted. The severity of obstructive sleep apnea can be monitored and treated if necessary. Ultimately the final outcome for these children is generally positive as jaw growth catches up with the rest of the body during the first year of life and resolution of obstructive sleep apnea is achieved.

Newborn and Infant | Toddler and Pre-Schooler | Adolescents