Answer:

Snoring is the sound produced during sleep when airflow through the upper airway is obstructed. A child's airway structure is narrower than an adult's. When lying on their back, the soft tissues in the throat can collapse, making it difficult for air to flow and resulting in snoring.

Snoring in children is often physiological. In some cases, snoring can be a sign of illness such as nasopharyngitis or a cold. Swollen nasal mucous membranes, prolonged nasal congestion, and increased secretions can cause children to breathe through their mouths while sleeping, leading to vibration of the soft tissues in the throat and snoring. Prolonged allergic rhinitis and frequent nasal congestion, causing mouth breathing, can also cause snoring. This is usually temporary and disappears after the illness subsides.

Enlarged tonsils and adenoids can also cause snoring and wheezing due to airway obstruction. Children with congenital abnormalities of the nose, palate, or lower jaw, such as a narrow palate, large tongue, or recessed jaw, are also prone to snoring. Overweight or obese children with excess fat deposits around the neck and throat are also at higher risk.

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the upper airway becomes repeatedly blocked during sleep, reducing or completely stopping airflow. Children with this syndrome often have restless sleep, wake up during the night, and snore loudly. Prolonged symptoms can affect physical development, behavior, and learning.

Treatment for snoring depends on the cause. If the child's snoring is due to enlarged tonsils and adenoids accompanied by obstructive sleep apnea, the doctor may recommend an adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy. Obese children need to lose weight under the guidance of a nutritionist and engage in appropriate physical activity.

Doctor Huu (right) performing a tonsillectomy on a child patient. Photo illustration: Tam Anh General Hospital

Several home remedies can help reduce snoring in children: using a humidifier to prevent dryness in the nose and throat, sleeping on their side instead of their back, avoiding allergens, and completely treating any nasopharyngitis.

If your child has been snoring loudly for several weeks like an adult, accompanied by wheezing, mouth breathing during sleep, startled awakenings, shortness of breath, daytime sleepiness, and poor concentration affecting their studies, you should consult an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) specialist. The doctor will examine the child, determine the cause, and recommend appropriate treatment.

MSc. MD. CKI Ho Van Huu

ENT Center

Tam Anh General Hospital, TP HCM