How can I tell if my toddler has obstructive sleep apnea?
Toddlers tend to have large tonsils and adenoids, which can cause a partial or complete blockage in the upper airway (throat and back of the nose area), thereby blocking air flow and causing a snoring sound. If your toddler snores on most or every night of the week at least for part of the night, then your child might have obstructive sleep apnea and need further review by your health care provider. Note though that pauses in breathing can occur while there is no obvious attempt to breathe, and can be totally normal. This is especially common in infants and happens in dream sleep.
