Can babies have sleep apnea? What to know

Can babies have sleep apnea? With Mother’s Day this coming weekend, the sleep apnea blog takes a look at whether sleep apnea in babies should be a concern for today’s parent.

The short answer is, unfortunately, yes. Sleep apnea in babies is a well-documented clinical condition, and it’s common enough to be broken down into two general categories: apnea of infancy and apnea of prematurity.

We’ll explore these definitions in more detail in upcoming blog posts. For now, let’s get started with general information about sleep apnea in babies.

Sleep apnea in babies: The basics

Obstructive sleep apnea in babies isn’t quite the same as it is in adults; in fact, it “has a distinctive pathophysiology, natural history, and treatment” compared to adults (as well as older children), concluded a study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine in 2012.

These differences arise from the fact that babies have tendencies toward “airway obstruction and gas exchange abnormalities” caused by their still-developing bodies. That can mean treatment is more complicated, too; according to that same American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine article, the treatment for babies with sleep apnea generally focuses on associated conditions rather than sleep apnea itself.¹

Sleep apnea in babies: What can parents do?

That same article by the AASM goes on to recommend some ways to tell whether your baby may have sleep apnea.

• Does your baby have pauses in breathing lasting 20 seconds or longer?
• Has your baby shown “patterns of repeated pauses in breathing that last less than 20 seconds”?
• Have there been experiences where your baby’s breathing or heart-related problems are not quite normal — such as a slow heartbeat?
• Has your baby ever needed other urgent care, especially related to respiration or resuscitation?

The AASM advises that, if you answered yes to any of the above questions, you should strongly consider taking your baby to a pediatric sleep specialist — or “schedule an appointment at an accredited sleep disorders center,” particularly one that specializes in helping children, if one can be found in your area.

Join us next week when we explore the two main types of sleep apnea in babies — apnea of infancy and apnea of prematurity — in greater detail.

This blog post contains general information about medical conditions and potential treatments. It is not medical advice. If you have any medical questions, please consult your doctor.