Sleep is essential for everyone, particularly for fostering a healthy childhood. Sleep-disordered breathing disrupts this balance, leading to numerous health and behavioral issues. Although most doctors do not fully understand the complete impact of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), evidence shows that chronic conditions like obstructive sleep apnea can result in hypertension, cardiovascular issues, neurological and psychological problems, metabolic disruption, and developmental issues.
As sleep research has evolved over the past few decades, understanding the importance of healthy sleep, especially during childhood and the formative years, has become crucial. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that 1.2% to 5.7% of children are affected by sleep disruption due to obstructive sleep apnea. These children are at risk of a wide range of health problems stemming from SDB, with obesity being the most common issue. SDB causes significant psychological stress for families and children, in addition to its effects on the body and mind. Therefore, pathological clinics should find effective ways to screen for this condition.
In a research article published in PubMed Central, part of NIH, Kevin Gipson, Mengdi Lu, and T. Bernard Kinane provide clarity on what sleep-disordered breathing is and how it impacts children.
