A study published in the Archives of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery suggests that toddlers with sleep apnea who sleep on their backs may experience more respiratory problems that toddlers who don’t sleep on their backs.
It was a small study, and additional research into this area is required to verify the results. Sixty children under 4 years of age who had been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea participated in the study.
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when breathing is interrupted or paused during sleep due to the airway becoming narrowed, blocked, or floppy. Sleep apnea causes frequent disruptions in sleep and can cause people to suffer from sleep deprivation.
During the study, the 60 children slept at a sleep center in Houston, Texas. Their sleep positions were monitored throughout the night and it was found that more respiratory problems were observed in children who slept on their backs.
This study didn’t include many infants, and the results should not superseded the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendation to put infants on their backs to sleep. If you have concerns or questions about your baby’s sleeping position or have noticed that he or she pauses breathing during the night, see your child’s pediatrician or a doctor at Orlando ENT as soon as possible.
