If my child snores, what can I expect in terms of further assessment and possible treatment?
First, if your child snores and/or you are concerned that your child may have obstructive sleep apnea, be sure to contact your health care provider.
Second, your health care provider can help you figure out whether or not your child has other symptoms that are usually associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). These symptoms include observed apneas (pauses in breathing), working hard or struggling to breathe, and/or possible daytime problems like behavioral and learning issues.
Your health care provider might request tests like oxygen monitoring or a sleep study (polysomnogram, PSG). Often a doctor might recommend a trial of nasal steroids, which might help sort out other causes of snoring such as hay fever (allergic rhinitis). If your child also has recurrent tonsillitis (swollen, infected tonsils), a referral to an Otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor) might be considered for possible tonsil and adenoid removal.
