The Pediatric Sleep Disorder Center

All kids have trouble sleeping every now and then, but a child who consistently has trouble getting to bed, staying asleep or waking up may need an evaluation of a sleep disorder.

Sleepless nights can be hard on both children and parents. A lack of sleep can impair a child’s growth, development, and cognitive abilities. For parents, a child who has trouble sleeping can create significant anxiety.

We offer state-of-the-art diagnostic sleep studies that can help determine if a sleep disorder is keeping a child from getting a restful night’s sleep.

Warning signs of sleep disorders in children

Children who display any of the following symptoms could be at risk for a sleep disorder

• Apnea
• Snoring
• Irregular breathing during sleep
• Difficult bedtimes
• Frequent awakenings
• Daytime sleepiness
• Difficulty concentrating in school
• Hyperactivity
• Irritability
• Short attention span
• Fatigue

Treatment

We can help diagnose the problem, and prescribe effective treatment

A pediatric sleep specialist will perform a thorough evaluation to help establish a diagnosis. A sleep diary may also be used to help pinpoint the exact nature of the problem. If necessary, an overnight polysomography, or sleep study, will be scheduled. A sleep study is a painless test, performed while the child sleeps in our special pediatric area. Many sleep disorders in children are behavioral in nature and a sleep study is not always indicated.

Here’s how a sleep study works

A few hours before bedtime, the child and a parent arrive at the Pediatric Sleep Disorder Center and prepare for bed the way they normally would. The parent sleeps alongside their child during the test, which helps reduce any anxiety the child may experience. A sleep technologist will apply sensors designed to monitor the child’s brainwaves, muscle activity, heart rhythms, respiratory activity and oxygen saturation levels throughout the night. The results are then carefully analyzed by a physician, who will determine a diagnosis and recommend the most appropriate treatment.

Polysomnography (sleep study) can be performed for:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• Snoring
• Hypoxemia
• Obesity
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Obesity