Sleep disordered breathing can develop from mouth breathing at night and can go on to impact a child’s alertness and therefore their performance at school
- Children with SDB may appear hyperactive or distracted, when they are in fact exhausted, with some branded as troublemakers or misdiagnosed with ADD or ADHD
- The cause may be blocked nasal passages due to allergies, enlarged adenoids or a deviated septum, and knock-on effects may include difficulty eating and unclear speech
Five-year-old Harry was always a restless sleeper. His parents would frequently find him in a different position in his bed from where they first left him, sweating profusely, and with his sheets in a tangled mess. He would take a long time to fall asleep and often found his way into their bed in the early hours of the morning. Nighttime did not seem restful for Harry.
During the day, Harry was finding it hard to adjust to being in school. He would fidget, talk out of turn, and frequently forget instructions. His teachers reported that he was a poor listener, was easily distracted and was perhaps a little immature compared to his classmates.
Harry’s behaviour is not that unusual. Many children struggle in the classroom. But the reason for Harry’s difficulties is quite simple, even though it is often overlooked: Harry, both day and night, breathes through his mouth.
Sleep disordered breathing
Mouth breathing at night is especially troubling as it disrupts sleep. Restful nightly sleep is absolutely essential for a child’s healthy growth and development.
Mouth breathing can lead to sleep disordered breathing (SDB), which is gaining more recognition in the medical community. Studies show that it could be present in up to 25 per cent of young children. Signs include mouth breathing, noisy breathing, teeth grinding and snoring. If not treated, it could lead to the more worrisome obstructive sleep apnoea.