Which condition could potentially lead to central apnea in children?

Central apnea in children occurs when there is a temporary interruption in the respiratory effort due to a failure of the brain to send appropriate signals to the muscles that control breathing. Neurological conditions affecting the brain can significantly disrupt this signaling process. For instance, conditions such as congenital central hypoventilation syndrome or brain injuries can impact the brain's ability to regulate breathing, especially during sleep, leading to central apnea.

While conditions like obesity, asthma exacerbations, and allergic rhinitis can complicate breathing and may lead to other forms of apnea or respiratory problems, they do not typically cause central apnea directly through a failure of the brain's control of respiration. Instead, they may lead to obstructive apnea or other respiratory disturbances, which differ from the central apnea mechanism.