The incidence of sleep apnea in children has risen greatly over the past years. Sleep apnea is a condition that causes people to stop breathing for periods of time, and it can be fatal if untreated.

The prevalence of this disorder in children is unclear, but one study found that up to 5% of all pediatric patients were diagnosed with sleep apnea. In order to diagnose the disorder, doctors will do a physical examination of your child and check for any irregularities in their sleeping patterns or history.

Ultimately, getting your child to a pediatrician if you suspect sleep apnea - or any kind of sleep disorder - is essential. Sleep apnea isn’t hugely common in children (at least, not as common as it is in adults) but it is still an issue to be on the lookout for if you want to keep your child happy and healthy.