The screening checklist
If three or more of the following describe your child's sleep, a consultation is likely worth scheduling. This list is for screening — it does not replace clinical evaluation.
During sleep
- Loud snoring most nights of the week
- Witnessed pauses in breathing or gasping for air
- Mouth open during sleep, even after age four
- Sweaty during sleep without an obvious cause
- Sleeps in unusual positions (neck hyperextended, sitting upright)
- Frequent restlessness, kicking, or repositioning
- Sleep talking or sleepwalking more than occasionally
- Bed-wetting persistent past age six
During the day
- Morning headache that resolves by mid-morning
- Hard to wake up, even after a full night in bed
- Daytime sleepiness in school, or unexplained nap-taking after age six
- Hyperactivity, irritability, or difficulty regulating emotion
- Declining academic performance without an obvious explanation
- Recurring dark circles under the eyes
- Frequent throat-clearing or chronic nasal congestion
Growth and development
- Growth velocity dropping across percentile lines
- Changes in facial structure (lengthening, narrowing of the upper jaw)
- Crowded teeth with high vaulted palate
- Family history of pediatric sleep apnea
When to call us today
The following signs warrant evaluation without delay:
- Multiple witnessed apnea pauses in a single night
- Cyanosis (bluish lips) during sleep
- Severe daytime sleepiness affecting school or safety
- Sudden change in cognition or behavior alongside snoring
What the first visit looks like
A parent-first consultation in our pediatric pathway is 30 to 45 minutes. We will ask you to describe a typical night, look at sleep diaries if you have kept one, and decide together whether a pediatric polysomnogram is the right next step. Children are involved in the conversation only when their participation is helpful.
Parents are right far more often than they think. If the sleep does not look normal, it usually isn't. — Dr. Han Jin-Kyu