My 5yr old may have apnea

bump

concerneddad wrote:We got the sleep study done yesterday at a non-accredited sleep clinic. All other places either don't take kids or are booked solid for months. The results were:
Apnea/Hypoapnea index: 12.2/hr
Min SaO2: 94% ; Max 100%; Mean 99.8%

It's scary because the doc said 12.2 for a 5 year old kid is pretty severe. He recommended seeing an ENT specialist and consider removing tonsils and adenoids. But what if tonsils and adenoids are not a problem? Can an ENT doc say with reasonable certainty that tonsils/adenoids are the cause of the apnea?

Do any of you guys have experience with a kid-oriented CPAP machine/mask? I'd rather try that, 1. because it's not invasive surgery, and 2. because I want to do something about this NOW vs. waiting several weeks for ENT diagnosis and surgery.

Wow - glad to year you got the test done! I don't know enough to offer any advice, but good luck with that. Your child is fortunate to have parents who are pursuing this persistently, and I would think there's a good chance that addressing the problem will really help him.

concerneddad wrote:Do any of you guys have experience with a kid-oriented CPAP machine/mask? I'd rather try that, 1. because it's not invasive surgery, and 2. because I want to do something about this NOW vs. waiting several weeks for ENT diagnosis and surgery.

Be careful not to get ahead of yourself.

concerneddad wrote:He recommended seeing an ENT specialist and consider removing tonsils and adenoids.

Regardless of what you try to do and rush with CPAP, you need to get an appointment now with an ENT. If the appointment is too far into the future for your liking, ask to be put on their cancellation list. Cancellations are common, and with a little luck, you may get in quickly.

But what if tonsils and adenoids are not a problem? Can an ENT doc say with reasonable certainty that tonsils/adenoids are the cause of the apnea?

You are definitely trying to cross a bridge before you get to it. Have the consultation with the ENT. It's only a consultation. The ENT should be able to give you very good advice on whether the tonsils and adenoids need to come out. You should go away feeling confident about whatever the choice is. If not, get a second opinion from an ENT recommended by a friend.

You should calm down a bit. Millions of people had tonsillectomies and adenoidectomies as children and did very well with the procedure. Plus, medical technology is much improved today.

In small children the usual first thing to look at is the T & A when a small/young child has OSA. Often removal resolves the issue with no further need for cpap and that's why it is usually first thing to look at or do (if the ENT thinks it is warranted).

See what the ENT says and then decide which road to go down is best.

Now in adults...surgery doesn't have such a good success rate but with children it has a high success rate with just the T & A removal.

concerneddad wrote:kid-oriented CPAP machine/mask? I'd rather try that, 1. because it's not invasive surgery,

You don't want the kid to call you when he is 30 years old to tell you he just saw an ENT who told him he wouldn't have had to use CPAP for the last 25 years if you had his tonsils taken out when he was five.

I agree with Pugsy. Get him in for an opinion by an ENT ASAP.

But to put a little perspective out there... many of us had T&A done as children... and here we are regardless. There are different reasons for OSA, though, so I'm not suggesting T&A is not the way to go for a 5 yr old, only that it may not necessarily do the trick.

Julie wrote:to put a little perspective out there

SMH. You demonstrate a total lack of perspective. Did you even read what was said about the kid --->

concerneddad wrote: During the day he is completely inattentive and is usually sleepy in the morning when he wakes up.

I've noticed him struggling to breath when sleeping, and quite restless in bed.

The results were:
Apnea/Hypoapnea index: 12.2/hr
Min SaO2: 94% ; Max 100%; Mean 99.8%

It's scary because the doc said 12.2 for a 5 year old kid is pretty severe. He recommended seeing an ENT specialist and consider removing tonsils and adenoids.

Take that kid to an ENT!