Could your child’s ADHD symptoms be sleep apnea? Doctors say these are signs

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — When Daylight Saving Time comes to an end, parents can often see how it affects their sleep. But many may be confusing the well-known sleep problem with attention hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD.

If your child has trouble concentrating at school and is prone to acting up at home, this may be a concern for many adults. Children with sleep apnea are often undiagnosed or even misdiagnosed.

Children need adequate sleep to perform well in the classroom or on the field, but something may be blocking your child’s ability to learn. Pediatric neurologists say it may be a chronic condition that often affects adults.

“Sleep apnea, especially in our school-aged children, can look just like ADHD,” says Dr. Eric Vioritto.

If your child is having trouble concentrating, remember this: Babies need at least 14 hours of sleep, toddlers 11 to 14 hours, and preschoolers 10 to 13.

Elementary and middle school students need nine to ten hours of sleep, while teenagers should aim for eight to 10 hours of sleep. If your child isn’t getting enough quality rest, doctors say sleep apnea may be to blame.

“We know this from research. We know that children with obstructive sleep apnea are three to five times more likely to have poor academic performance and seven times more likely to have behavioral problems in school,” Vioritto said.

But it is often misdiagnosed. A report from the American Sleep Apnea Association states that up to 25% of children diagnosed with ADHD may actually have symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea.

“The longer a disease goes untreated, the more severe its symptoms can become,” said Dr. Adam Rappaport of Nemours Children’s Health.

Obstructive sleep apnea causes snoring, daytime fatigue, and difficulty concentrating, mimicking many of the symptoms of ADHD. If sleep apnea is left untreated, it increases the risk of heart disease as a child ages.

“Someone who would be 27, 28 years old and now struggling with health problems that could have been prevented, you know, it’s a real tragedy,” Viorritto said.

Most importantly, it is important to remember that most children Not snore.

So if they do, parents should talk to their pediatrician. A correct diagnosis will include an overnight sleep study. Doctors say the first line of treatment for children is often to remove the tonsils and adenoids.