Causes of Snoring in Children

Snoring in children has three main causes. One cause is anatomical, such as a narrow throat, a constricted windpipe, a deviated septum or a small airway. Structures in the throat and mouth, including the tongue, uvula and soft palate, can be vibrating against each other. Allergy attacks provoke swelling in the lining of the nose, interfering with breathing. Most commonly, enlarged tonsils and adenoids cause snoring in children

Mouth Anatomy

• When a child snores, it is an indication there may be upper-airway resistance. When a child is asleep, muscles relax which can make the airway more narrow. Snoring results since the same amount of air must pass through this airway which is now smaller.

  There are children who congenitally have exceptionally narrow throats and thin windpipes. These congenital conditions can cause snoring. Anatomically, a child may also snore because of a small jaw which did not develop to its proper size in the womb.

  An uneven or off-center partition between the nostrils known as a deviated nasal septum is known to cause snoring in children. The vacuum produced upon inhaling causes snoring. Besides a deviated nasal septum, chronic nasal congestion may also be a contributing factor.

  Obesity is a common cause of the narrowing of airways in children. Fats can form in and around the throat causing it to be constricted and limiting the passage of air. Stomach fat can also cause disruptions in the functioning of the diaphragm, which controls breathing.

  Such snoring can not only disrupt sleep but affect the brain and the heart. Parents should not dismiss the snoring problem of their children but take it seriously and find out the cause so that it can be remedied.

Allergy Attacks

• When a child's immune system reacts in an abnormal way to substances harmless to most people, snoring can result. If a child's nose and airway are anatomically normal, an allergy is often the cause of the snoring.

  Indoor allergens or allergy-causing substances include molds, pet hair and dander, bird feathers and dust mites. If a child sleeps in a room that is not well dusted and vacuumed frequently, snoring can result. These substances interfere with a child's airway, temporarily blocking the nose which becomes stuffy or runny.

  Outdoor allergens are wood dust, grass and pollen and also include cigarette smoke or perfume. There are children who react to aerosol sprays used in the home. The result can cause snoring in these children.

  Since snoring in children can be dangerous to their health, parents should seek to determine if an allergy is the cause. If it is not seasonal, a close inspection of the home is advised. Mold is a fungus and can be present in water-damaged areas of the home.

Adenoids or Tonsils

• Perhaps the most common cause of snoring in children is adenoid enlargement. Adenoids are glands located near the inner parts of the nasal passages which help trap harmful bacteria.

  Enlargement or swelling of the adenoids can be caused by colds which in turn causes snoring. If the adenoids become chronically swollen, they must be surgically removed.

  The tonsils of children can also become enlarged in a condition known as tonsillitis which also causes snoring. Although tonsillitis can be cured by antibiotics or decongestants, if the tonsils are chronically inflamed they are usually surgically removed.

  Snoring in a child can be an indication that measures must be taken by parents to ensure their child's well-being. If it is not caused by an allergy, advice should be sought from a doctor who may recommend surgery.