Can Children Use A CPAP Machine?

Your child was diagnosed with sleep apnea and now a million thoughts are running through your mind. One of which is how your child is going to sleep at night. Sleep is imperative to a growing child. What can you do to make sleep a more comfortable experience?

Treatment and CPAP

To help alleviate some of the stress, it’s good to know that there is a community of individuals that know what you are going through. In fact, approximately one to four percent of children suffer from sleep apnea, most commonly from the ages of 2-8.

However, there are solutions to helping your child with sleep apnea. Most commonly with children, your doctor or specialist will recommend surgical removal of the adenoids and tonsils for OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea). Generally, the operation results in complete elimination of OSA symptoms 70 to 90 percent of the time. However, even after the surgery, the child should be monitored overnight to make sure none of the symptoms return.

If the surgery is not recommended, or it doesn’t fully resolve the issue – a PAP/ CPAP machine will be recommended. In some instances, the doctor/ specialist may prescribe a CPAP machine before surgery for severe cases. A CPAP machine and PAP therapy is the most common prescription for adults with sleep apnea, and can be helpful for children as well.

What Is A CPAP Machine?

A CPAP machine is a controlled positive airway pressure machine that helps force air into the airways. A mask is worn during sleep and it stops the child from waking up due to a lack of oxygen to the body. CPAP machines can take only a couple days to a couple weeks to get used to, and with advanced technology the CPAP is becoming easier to sleep with.

PAP therapy should be regarded as palliative rather than curative. It will not cure the apnea, but rather make it bearable to sleep at night. A sleep study is recommended annually to monitor the pressure and positioning of the machine.

When it comes to adults utilizing a CPAP machine helping them sleep at night, consistency is key. It is the same when it comes to children and adolescents. So you may need to make the experience as light hearted and fun as you can. The machine may be a bit noisy at night, so playing some music to drown out the noise may help. Another tactic that can help get your child to adjust is by decorating the mask, making it look like the child’s favorite character, or by making it more welcoming. Getting the child acclimated to the mask is crucial to their compliance. Start gently by introducing the mask and having the child wear it during the day so they could be used to it at night. When they first start, using it, start on lower pressure and then increase to the higher pressure that is prescribed.

Helping your child get acclimated to the new sleeping behavior will help them get a better night’s sleep. This will then help with future sleep if using a CPAP machine as an adult. For many children, however, the dramatic improvement in the way they feel after PAP therapy becomes an important motivating factor to keep them consistently using it until they no longer require a CPAP.

Before seeking a CPAP machine, always contact your doctor/ specialist to find the best treatment for your child. Surgery may be recommended, but remember to keep monitoring your child’s sleep patterns to make sure that it was a success. If not, a CPAP machine may be recommended.