Top

BMC Pediatrics

Published in:

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Case report

My child cannot breathe while sleeping: a report of three cases and review

Authors: Won Hee Seo, Minkyu Park, So-Hee Eun, Seonkyeong Rhie, Dae Jin Song, Kyu-Young Chae

Published in: BMC Pediatrics | Issue 1/2017

Abstract

Background

Sudden breath-holding episodes during sleep in young children are potentially related to sudden infant death syndrome and other life-threatening events. Additionally, these episodes can negatively affect child’s growth and development.

Case presentation

Here, we present 3 cases of preschool children with similar paroxysmal nocturnal waking events associated with choking that had different etiologies (nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy, nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux disease, and parasomnia, respectively).

Conclusions

It is important to take into consideration the fact that breath spells during sleep can occur as a rare manifestation of parasomnia due to gastroesophageal reflux or as a symptom of nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy. Full video electroencephalography, polysomnography, and simultaneous gastric pH monitoring should be used for the differential diagnosis of sleep-related disorders, such as breath spells, in children.

Lee S, Rhie S, Chae KY. Depression and marital intimacy level in parents of infants with sleep onset association disorder: a preliminary study on the effect of sleep education. Korean J Pediatr. 2013;56:211–7.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Bye A, Kok D, Ferenschild F, Vles J. Paroxysmal non-epileptic events in children: a retrospective study over a period of 10 years. J Paediatr Child Health. 2000;36:244–8.CrossRefPubMed

Fung C, Wong V. Paroxysmal non-epileptic movements in childhood. Hong Kong J Paediatr (New Series). 2012;17:85–96.

Chadwick D, Smith D. The misdiagnosis of epilepsy. BMJ. 2002;324:495–6.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Benbadis S. The differential diagnosis of epilepsy: a critical review. Epilepsy Behav. 2009;15:15–21.CrossRefPubMed

Carroll MW, Jacobson K. Gastroesophageal reflux disease in children and adolescents: when and how to treat. Pediatr Drugs. 2012;14:79–89.CrossRef

Noronha AC, de Bruin VMS, MÂN e S, de Freitas MR, de Paula Araújo R, Mota RMS, de Bruin PFC. Gastroesophageal reflux and obstructive sleep apnea in childhood. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2009;73:383–9.CrossRefPubMed

Aldrich MS, Jahnke B. Diagnostic value of video-EEG polysomnography. Neurology. 1991;41:1060–6.CrossRefPubMed

Chen LS, Mitchell WG, Horton EJ, Snead OC. Clinical utility of video-EEG monitoring. Pediatr Neurol. 1995;12:220–4.CrossRefPubMed

10.

American Academy of Sleep Medicine. International classification of sleep disorders. 3rd ed. Darien: American Academy of Sleep Medicine; 2014.

11.

Somjit S, Lee Y, Berkovic SF, Harvey AS. Sandifer syndrome misdiagnosed as refractory partial seizures in an adult. Epileptic Disord. 2004;6:49–50.PubMed

12.

Malagelada J. Supra-oesophageal manifestations of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2004;19:43–8.CrossRefPubMed

13.

Xia L, Damon TA, Leiter JC, Bartlett D. Focal warming in the nucleus of the solitary tract prolongs the laryngeal chemoreflex in decerebrate piglets. J Appl Physiol. 2007;102:54–62.CrossRefPubMed

14.

Praud JP. Upper airway reflexes in response to gastric reflux. Paediatr Respir Rev. 2010;1:208–12.CrossRef

15.

Fass R, Achem S, Harding S, Mittal R, Quigley E. Review article: supra-oesophageal manifestations of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and the role of nighttime gastro-oesophageal reflux. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2004;20:26–38.CrossRefPubMed

16.

Wasilewska J, Kaczmarski M. Sleep-related breathing disorders in small children with nocturnal acid gastro-oesophageal reflux. Rocz Akad Med Bialymst. 2004;49:98–102.PubMed

17.

Roland MMS, Baran AS, Richert AC. Sleep-related laryngospasm caused by gastroesophageal reflux. Sleep Med. 2008;9:451–3.CrossRefPubMed

18.

Iriarte J, Urrestarazu E, Alegre M, Goñi C, Viteri C, Artieda J. Sleep-related laryngospasm: a video-polysomnographic recording. Epileptic Disord. 2006;8:70–2.PubMed

19.

Kotagal S. Pathophysiology of Parasomnias. In: Kothare SV, Ivanenko A, editors. Parasomnias. New York: Springer; 2013. p. 9–15.CrossRef

20.

Steinsbekk S, Berg-Nielsen TS, Wichstrøm L. Sleep disorders in preschoolers: prevalence and comorbidity with psychiatric symptoms. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2013;34:633–41.CrossRefPubMed

Title: My child cannot breathe while sleeping: a report of three cases and review
Authors: Won Hee Seo
Minkyu Park
So-Hee Eun
Seonkyeong Rhie
Dae Jin Song
Kyu-Young Chae
Publication date: 01-12-2017
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Pediatrics / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2431
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-017-0922-9

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

My child cannot breathe while sleeping: a report of three cases and review

Abstract

Background

Case presentation

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Case presentation

Conclusions

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 1/2017

Full title: peripheral venous catheter complications in children: predisposing factors in a multicenter prospective cohort study

Cognitively and physically demanding exergaming to improve executive functions of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a randomised clinical trial

Neonatal respiratory morbidity following exposure to chorioamnionitis

Development of a wheelchair mobility skills test for children and adolescents: combining evidence with clinical expertise

Prevalence and risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver in children and youth with obesity

Comparison of developmental milestone attainment in early treated HIV-infected infants versus HIV-unexposed infants: a prospective cohort study