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Step 1
Monitor your child's behavior upon waking and throughout the day. Children with sleep apnea often wake up confused and unrested, so they can be cranky and short-tempered. Sudden personality changes are a symptom of a lack of sleep, and children who don't sleep well can develop learning disabilities, social problems and hyperactive behavior.
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Step 2
Pay attention to your child's health. Sleep apnea can cause sudden weight gain or weight loss, as well as high or low blood pressure. Many children with this disorder have headaches in the morning and are groggy and inattentive throughout the day.
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Step 3
Watch your child when she is asleep. Is she restless? Does she sleep with her mouth open or snore loudly? Does she seem to choke or gasp a lot, or stop breathing altogether? Children with sleep apnea can also be prone to bedwetting, night terrors or heavy perspiration while sleeping. Any of these symptoms could indicate sleep apnea, and you should see a doctor for further diagnosis.
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Step 4
Take your child to the doctor for a polysomnograph test if you see symptoms like those described in Steps 1-3. In this test, the child's brain activity, muscle and eye activity, and heart rate will be measured and recorded while she sleeps. This test is usually conducted in a clinic, but sometimes children are monitored with a home machine.
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Step 5
Have the child's sleep patterns analyzed by a doctor that specializes in sleep disorders. The doctor will look at how much time the child is asleep or awake during the night as indicated by brain activity, how much time is spent in REM sleep (deep sleep), as well as her heart rate, physical activity and breathing. If the child's breathing and sleep are very disturbed, the doctor will diagnose sleep apnea and evaluate the child further to see what steps should be taken for treatment.
