Research shows that Obstructive Sleep Apnea in children during brain and nervous system development can potentially cause long-term harm. That’s right, even after “successful” OSA treatment, behavioral and mental performance can be affected. This indicates that there may be long-term neurological effects, such as:
- Behavioral Difficulties
- Inattention
- Hyperactivity
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Peer Problems
- Aggression
- Rule Breaking
- Bed Wetting
- ADD/ADHD
Children who snore as early as age 4 may be suffering from reduced maxillary (upper jaw) width. Often, this snoring and mouth breathing caused by an airway obstruction, can lead to long face and other changes in facial structure/features. In many cases, even when adenoid/tonsils are removed to improve or cure snoring, the maxillary jaw width remains an issue.
Often, these behavioral issues are met with years of therapy and prescription medication. Before resorting to life-long prescriptions, it might be a good first step to consult with an airway management specialist to diagnose any potential airway dysfunction that may be causing these behavior and mental problems. It’s never too soon to improve breathing.