KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) – For the past six months, seven-year-old Isyraf Mikael (not his real name) has been snoring loudly during sleep.
In fact, he snores not only during night time sleep but also while on the way to school, startling his peers who share the same transport.
While some may find children snoring during sleep amusing, experts caution that it could indicate underlying health issues which require immediate medical attention.
If left undiagnosed and untreated, the condition could lead to severe complications, including developmental delay, learning difficulties, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and even life-threatening consequences.
Types of snoring
According to Dr Mohd Adzreil Bakri, an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Consultant Specialist at Columbia Hospital Setapak, snoring is medically defined as a sound produced by an obstructed upper airway during sleep.
“Snoring typically occurs when a person has a narrow nasal and throat airway. This condition can affect both adults and children,” he told Bernama recently.
He explained that there are two categories of snoring: simple snoring and sleep apnoea.
“Simple snoring refers to mild snoring, while sleep apnoea is a more severe condition that can lead to various health problems that can affect quality of life, such as memory impairment, reduced work performance, and impacts on social relationships,” he said.
Dr Mohd Adzreil said simple snoring does not exhibit other symptoms like fatigue or excessive daytime sleepiness and is not considered a medical condition.
“Sleep apnoea, on the other hand, is a condition that affects a person’s health. In addition to snoring, other symptoms of sleep apnoea in children include breathing interruptions, rapid or pauses of breathing or choking episodes during sleep,” he added.
Cause of snoring in children
Dr Mohd Adzreil further explained that many factors contribute to snoring during sleep. However, in children, it is usually closely related to the size of their tonsils and adenoids. (Tonsils refer to small tissues located near the base of the tongue on the left and right sides of the mouth, while adenoids are tissue located on the back wall of the throat.)
Additionally, he said, snoring can also occur in children who are overweight or have conditions such as Down’s syndrome or Pierre Robin syndrome.
“In Malaysia, approximately 20 per cent of children experience snoring problems during sleep, and most cases are simple snoring,” he noted, adding that snoring in children typically begins as early as two years old.
For adults, he said, men are more likely to snore compared to women, with the majority of cases caused by ageing and being overweight.
When asked if snoring problems in children persist into adulthood, Dr Mohd Adzreil said it depends on the cause of the snoring.
“Most cases of simple snoring caused by large tonsils and adenoids will resolve or disappear as the child grows older because the airway widens with age,” he explained.
Dangers if left untreated
Some may think that snoring is a common occurrence during sleep and does not require treatment.
Sharing a case he managed, Dr Mohd Adzreil recounted an incident in Sabah in 2017. A child with a larger body frame was brought to the emergency department by his mother due to breathing difficulties.
“When they arrived, the mother informed us that her eight-year-old son was experiencing fever, shortness of breath, and noisy breathing. At the time, the child was struggling to breathe.
“Immediate treatment was given, including antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medication to widen the airways, and respiratory support using CPAP/BIPAP devices (positive airway pressure therapy),” he shared.
In the case of Isyraf Mikael, Dr Mohd Adzreil advised the child’s mother to consult a doctor for further evaluation.
Dr Mohd Adzreil emphasised that snoring becomes particularly dangerous when accompanied by additional symptoms such as sleep apnoea, shortness of breath, and rapid breathing.
“Additionally, excessive daytime sleepiness or hyperactivity during the day can affect a child’s learning in school,” he added.
Regarding treatment, he said that if the snoring is caused by enlarged tonsils, surgery may be performed to remove them.
“If it is due to sinus issues, medication or surgery may also be recommended,” he said, advising those with excess weight to work on reducing it to alleviate snoring issues.
He also urged parents to monitor their children’s breathing during sleep and to consult a doctor if they notice any abnormal signs.
“Even if the tonsil problem only causes mild snoring, other factors such as being overweight or having a tonsil infection (tonsillitis) can worsen the condition.
“These issues may lead to severe airway narrowing, requiring the child to use respiratory support devices,” he added.
