Question 1

Could my child’s hyperactivity or poor focus be caused by poor sleep due to breathing issues?

Accepted Answer

Yes, chronic sleep disruption caused by conditions like obstructive sleep apnoea or nasal obstruction can significantly impact concentration, mood, and behaviour. Children often appear hyperactive or inattentive when they're actually sleep-deprived.

Question 2

Why does my child breathe loudly even when they are not sick?

Accepted Answer

Loud breathing outside of illness may indicate structural issues like enlarged adenoids, nasal polyps, or laryngomalacia. These require an ENT assessment to determine the exact cause and best treatment approach.

Question 3

Can frequent mouth breathing affect my child’s face or jaw development?

Accepted Answer

Yes, chronic mouth breathing can alter facial growth, leading to changes in jaw alignment and dental arch development. Early intervention can help mitigate long-term orthodontic consequences.

Question 4

Is it normal for infants to grunt or wheeze while breathing?

Accepted Answer

Occasional grunting or wheezing in infants can be normal, but persistent or noisy breathing should be evaluated to rule out laryngomalacia or other airway abnormalities.

Question 5

My child always breathes through their mouth - could this be why they get sick so often?

Accepted Answer

Mouth breathing bypasses the nose’s natural filtering mechanisms, which can lead to increased exposure to airborne irritants and pathogens, raising the likelihood of frequent infections.

Question 6

Could seasonal allergies be contributing to my child’s breathing difficulties?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Allergies can cause chronic inflammation and congestion in the nasal passages, making it difficult for children to breathe through their nose and sleep comfortably.

Question 7

If my child snores but seems healthy, should I still be concerned?

Accepted Answer

Yes, habitual snoring can be an early sign of sleep-disordered breathing. Even in otherwise healthy children, it warrants evaluation to rule out obstructive sleep apnoea or other ENT-related conditions.

Question 8

Sources:

Accepted Answer

Pediatric Pulmonology articles - Frontiers in Pediatricshttps://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pediatrics/sections/pediatric-pulmonology/articles

Paediatric Respiratory Health in Focus: Key Updates from this Issue - Pediatric Respiratory Medicine Journal, LWWhttps://journals.lww.com/prcm/fulltext/2025/01000/paediatric_respiratory_health_in_focus__key.1.aspx

Pediatric Asthma - StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelfhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551631/

Lower Airway Diseases in the Paediatric Population: A Two-Year Study - Journal of Clinical Medicine, MDPIhttps://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/14/2/384

February 1, 2025 Issue of JAMA Pediatrics (includes studies on pediatric respiratory outcomes) - JAMA Pediatricshttps://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/issue/179/2

Tag: nasal airway and breathing issues

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