Emergency Physician (Pediatric) Questions Children Sleep Disorders

My 14 year old son sometimes stops breathing in his sleep. Is this an emergency?

My young teenage son snores heavily and sometimes seems to stop breathing in his sleep. I wake him up and he breathes again but it's so frightening to me. Is this an emergency? Should I take him to the ER the next time this happens?

1 Answer

Your son is experiencing obstructive sleep apnea. This is likely due to enlarged adenoids and, in some cases, enlarged tonsils. It is not an emergency but it can definitely be the cause of many daytime symptoms. It would be best to consult with his primary care provider and/or an ENT (ear, nose and throat surgeon) who can assist with an evaluation.