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/ Back to home / Conditions, tests & treatments A-Z / Treatments / CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure)
CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure)Disclaimer: This fact sheet is for educational use only. Please consult your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child. What is CPAP? CPAP is a treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea.
See the following fact sheet on this website:
A CPAP machine holds the airway open by gently blowing air into the breathing passages (nose, throat and 'airways') at a set pressure. This stops the airway from narrowing as can happen in obstructive sleep apnoea. It makes breathing a lot easier, reducing the frequent wakings caused by not being able to breathe easily. The level of pressure needs to be set individually for each person and is delivered by a mask. Masks come in different shapes and sizes. They may just cover the nose or both the nose and mouth. They are held gently in place by a small cap and straps.
 Back to TopWhat are the benefits of CPAP?CPAP is a safe and effective treatment for children with obstructive sleep apnoea. People with severe sleep apnoea symptoms generally feel much better once they begin treatment with CPAP. Treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea leads to the child having better quality sleep which in many cases improves their daytime functioning, such as behaviour and concentration. Other specific benefits may apply to your child and should be discussed with your doctor.
CPAP is not a cure as sleep apnoea will return if CPAP is stopped or if it is not used correctly.
To get the best benefit, it is important that your child wears the CPAP every night, for the whole time they are asleep.
Back to TopWhat are the side effects of CPAP?CPAP treatment may cause side effects in some people, such as a dry or stuffy nose, irritation of the skin on the face, and sore eyes due to air leaking around the mask. These side effects can usually be prevented or controlled by simple measures like using a nasal spray or adjusting the size / fit of the mask.
Your child may grow out of the mask or the mask may get damaged, so it is important to see your doctor or the sleep technologists regularly.
If your child has trouble with CPAP side effects, talk with your paediatrician or sleep technician.
Back to TopWhere to go for more informationOn this website
SAANZ (Sleep Apnoea Association of New Zealand Inc.)
SAANZ is a national support group (for adults and children) which aims to promote awareness of sleep apnoea and sleep disorders. Their website provides a fact sheet on childhood snoring and sleep apnoea1.
Website: http://www.sleepapnoeanz.org.nz/
Australian website
Melbourne Children's Sleep Centre (Monash University and Southern Health initiative)
The following pamphlet, produced by Royal Children's Hospital, Southern Health and Melbourne Children's Sleep Unit is available at the Monash Children's website:
The Melbourne Children's Sleep Centre3 also provides other parent fact sheets but again, some of the information is specific to Australia and the particular sleep centre. Website: http://www.monashchildrens.org.au/
Back to TopLinks (these are the web addresses for the numbered links in the text above) Back to TopYour notesEndorsement
This fact sheet was endorsed by PSNZ - 19/05/2010
CopyrightFact sheets are subject to copyright. In the interests of information sharing they may be copied but acknowledgement must be given to PSNZ and Starship Foundation. © The Paediatric Society of New Zealand and Starship Foundation 2005 - 2010
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