New Delhi: For many parents, a child's snoring is often dismissed as a harmless bedtime quirk, a sign of deep sleep or exhaustion after a long day. However, doctors caution that persistent snoring, mouth breathing, and restless sleep may be red flags for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), a potentially serious condition that disrupts breathing during sleep and deprives the brain and body of oxygen.
A Case in Point: Surya's Struggle
For 12-year-old Surya Pratap, what began as loud snoring gradually evolved into a health crisis that went unnoticed for nearly two years. While attending a boarding school, Surya struggled to sleep through the night, breathed almost entirely through his mouth, and exhibited steadily declining energy levels.
His father, Rajesh Kumar, recounted the family's ordeal: "For two years, our family lived in a state of constant exhaustion. Watching him struggle for breath every night meant neither my wife nor I could rest. Seeing him finally breathe normally and regain his energy has been an overwhelming relief."
Overlooked Condition with Serious Consequences
Doctors emphasize that Surya's experience is far from uncommon. OSA in children is frequently overlooked, even though it disrupts the deep sleep cycles essential for growth, learning, and emotional regulation. Children with the condition often wake up tired, struggle to concentrate in class, become irritable or unusually hyperactive, or show a decline in academic performance—symptoms that are frequently mistaken for behavioural problems or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Dr. Rajesh Bhardwaj, consultant ENT specialist at MedFirst ENT Centre who treated Surya, explained: "Because he was unable to breathe properly through his nose during sleep, he could not consistently reach the deep, restorative stages of sleep that are essential for a child's growth." He added, "Over time, the body shifts into a constant stress response. Children may appear energetic during sports or high-adrenaline activities, but remain physically and mentally exhausted for most of the day."
Surgical Intervention Restores Normal Breathing
To restore normal breathing, doctors opted for a combination of surgical procedures. Surya underwent an adenoidectomy to remove enlarged adenoids—tissue located behind the nose that can block the airway when swollen—along with septoplasty to correct a deviated nasal septum and turbinectomy to reduce swollen nasal tissue and improve airflow.
"The surgery didn't just stop the snoring; it allowed his normal development to resume," Dr. Bhardwaj said. The impact was immediate: Surya's snoring stopped, his breathing normalised, and his energy levels returned.
Long-Term Risks of Untreated Sleep Apnoea
Health experts caution that untreated sleep apnoea can have long-term consequences beyond poor sleep. Repeated oxygen deprivation and chronic sleep disruption can contribute to stunted growth, weakened immunity, mood disturbances, and developmental delays. Persistent mouth breathing may also alter facial development over time, leading to a condition known as adenoid facies, in which facial bones and teeth develop abnormally.
Prof. Anupam Sibal, group medical director and senior paediatrician at Apollo Hospitals Group, stated: "Snoring and mouth breathing point to adenoid enlargement and need proper evaluation." Dr. Neetu Jain, senior consultant in pulmonology, critical care, and sleep medicine at PSRI Hospital, added: "Poor concentration and declining school performance could signal severe paediatric sleep apnoea rather than behavioural issues. Early treatment is essential. Prolonged low oxygen levels and disturbed sleep can affect brain development, learning, and overall growth."
