Sleep apnea in 5 year old?

[Wontsomebodyplsthinkofthecats]

Does anyone have experience of sleep apnea with their DCs? My 5 year old DD has very large tonsils and she gets recurrent tonsilitus. I've attached some pics of her tonsils as they are now, without tonsillitis. When she doesn't have tonsillitis she complains of pain every day and has recently said that she finds it hard to breath when she has been running about.

I noticed this week when she was asleep on a long car journey that she was snoring very loudly and then pausing for breath for a while and jolting/spluttering for breath.

She's always had issues with concentration to the extent teachers and gymnastics coaches have flagged it up as a concern and we have considered asking for her to be assessed for ADD. She also struggles to manage her short fuse and can be extremely volatile, although this is something we are working on. I was wondering if the above could be a result of sleep apnea.

DD was on a waiting list to have her tonsils removed but due to covid she has now been taken off and we need to get her rereffered

My two year old had his tonsils out and it changed his life, sleeping improved massively.

I’m not surprised your DD is volatile she’s probably bloody tired! Poor thing her tonsils are massive.

What helped us was videoing DS when he was asleep to show the extent of his sleep apnoea. Such a shame you have to go through it all again. Why have they taken her off the list entirely?

Videoing her is a good idea thanks I'll try that. That's good to hear that having your DS's tonsils out made a positive difference.

I think it's a case of; they aren't doing routine procedures so there is currently no waiting list and when they reopen we will have to be re referred, as opposed to my DD specifically having been taken off.

My little girl is similar age 6. Has been hospitaled previously due to tonsilitis / dropping her on levels. We are now awaiting surgery. Please go to the GP. Photos and Video very helpful. Good luck!

My dd was 3 when she had her tonsils and adaniods out due to sleep apnea. It had affected her hearing, speech development and concentration levels.

She found recovery a challenge as she didn't get tonsillitis- I've heard that kids that get tonsillitis find recovery easier as they are used to having sore throats.

We did take videos and had to push for the op during the referral process.

Since she recovered the difference was amazing.

Thank you for all the responses. It's made me even more determined to push for them taking out. I had a phone consultation with a doctor and sent the pic and they have given antibiotics (although I'm not sure there is an infection?) And the doctor said the lists were closed so she was unable to re refer but would write a letter to the ENT consultant so fingers crossed.

My (now 6yo) DD had her tonsils & adenoids out 2 years ago due to sleep apnea and constant ear infections & tonsillitis. It changed our lives. My daughter was skinny, exhausted and spent her life on antibiotics. At best she slept with severe chest recessions and at worst stopped breathing over and over.
Ever since the op there has been no sleep apnea, and no ear infections 😊 her tonsils (and presume adenoids) have actually grown back, to the extent doctors think I’ve got it wrong when I tell them they were removed 🙄 it’s rare, but happens. Sadly she spent a month with tonsillitis in January.
Don’t give up, keep pushing! I fought for that operation for so long. I even went private to speak to a fantastic surgeon of my choosing who then took on my daughter on the nhs. Funding is the hardest thing to get, so make sure you have plenty of videos. If you have a solid diagnosis of obstructive Sleep Apnea, funding won’t be a problem, ours came through within 24 hours. Good luck to you. Can’t believe I’m on the other side - you will get through it x

My dd had her tonsils and adenoids out before she was two due to severe sleep apnea. She was very underweight, constant respiratory infections and low oxygen levels when sleeping. I videoed her and we were referred to ENT who put her on the list. After one really bad night with stopping breathing so many times we went to A&E and the paeds doctors contacted ENT surgeon and got her operation date brought forward. It literally changed her life straight away. If you compare the bouncy and boundless energetic 4 Yr old we have now to the child before you wouldn't believe she was the same child.