Kuala Lumpur: For the past six months, seven-year-old Isyraf Mikael (not his real name) has been snoring loudly during sleep. In fact, he snores not only during nighttime sleep but also while on the way to school, startling his peers who share the same transport. While some may find children snoring during sleep amusing, experts caution that it could indicate underlying health issues which require immediate medical attention. If left undiagnosed and untreated, the condition could lead to severe complications, including developmental delay, learning difficulties, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and even life-threatening consequences.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr. Mohd Adzreil Bakri, an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Consultant Specialist at Columbia Hospital Setapak, stated that snoring is medically defined as a sound produced by an obstructed upper airway during sleep. He explained that there are two categories of snoring: simple snoring and sleep apnoea. Simple snoring refers to mild snoring, while sleep apnoea is a more severe condition that can lead to various health problems that can affect quality of life, such as memory impairment, reduced work performance, and impacts on social relationships. Simple snoring does not exhibit other symptoms like fatigue or excessive daytime sleepiness and is not considered a medical condition, whereas sleep apnoea affects a person’s health and includes symptoms such as breathing interruptions, rapid or pauses of breathing, or choking episodes during sleep.
Dr. Mohd Adzreil further explained that many factors contribute to snoring during sleep. In children, it is usually closely related to the size of their tonsils and adenoids. Snoring can also occur in children who are overweight or have conditions such as Down’s syndrome or Pierre Robin syndrome. In Malaysia, approximately 20 percent of children experience snoring problems during sleep, and most cases are simple snoring. Snoring in children typically begins as early as two years old. For adults, men are more likely to snore compared to women, with the majority of cases caused by ageing and being overweight.
Some may think that snoring is a common occurrence during sleep and does not require treatment. Dr. Mohd Adzreil recounted an incident in Sabah in 2017 where a child was brought to the emergency department by his mother due to breathing difficulties. Immediate treatment was given, including antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medication to widen the airways, and respiratory support using positive airway pressure therapy. In the case of Isyraf Mikael, Dr. Mohd Adzreil advised the child’s mother to consult a doctor for further evaluation. He emphasised that snoring becomes particularly dangerous when accompanied by additional symptoms such as sleep apnoea, shortness of breath, and rapid breathing.
Dr. Mohd Adzreil mentioned that if the snoring is caused by enlarged tonsils, surgery may be performed to remove them. If it is due to sinus issues, medication or surgery may also be recommended. He advised those with excess weight to work on reducing it to alleviate snoring issues and urged parents to monitor their children’s breathing during sleep and consult a doctor if they notice any abnormal signs. Even if the tonsil problem only causes mild snoring, other factors such as being overweight or having a tonsil infection can worsen the condition, potentially leading to severe airway narrowing and requiring the child to use respiratory support devices.