NSF Poll Highlights Sleep Apnea in Teens

Most Americans think of obstructive sleep apnea as a sleep disorder that affects primarily adults. Some parents are aware of the association between large tonsils and adenoids and sleep apnea in young children. But the results of the 2006 National Sleep Foundation Sleep in America Poll suggest that teens may also be at risk for sleep apnea and its’ consequences on health and daily functioning.
In response to a Poll question about how often their adolescent snored in the past 2 weeks, 1 in 10 caregivers surveyed indicated that their teenager snored every or almost every night, an important potential symptom of sleep apnea. Nearly 20% of caregivers indicated their teen snored at least a few times a week. These percentages were almost identical in younger (6-8th grade) and older (9-12th grade) teens.
Furthermore, teens who snored at least a few times per week were more likely to report a reduced quality of sleep and evidence of increased sleepiness. Snoring was also associated with poorer grades in school; teens who snore frequently were almost twice as likely to get lower grades. Snoring was also associated with increased caffeine consumption, suggesting that these teenagers are trying to compensate for feeling sleepy. Finally, overweight teens were almost twice as likely to snore frequently, indicating a relationship between weight and sleep apnea in adolescents as well as in adults.
Parents should be aware that snoring can be an important indication of obstructive sleep apnea in adolescents, especially in those teens who have risk factors for sleep apnea, such as being overweight or having a family history of sleep apnea. Potential consequences of sleep apnea in teens include poor school performance and an increased risk of drowsy driving accidents. If your teenager snores, talk to your child’s doctor about being evaluated for sleep apnea.
For more information contact the American Sleep Apnea Association by visiting www.sleepapnea.org.
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