I have a five-year-old daughter with special needs. I suspected that she may have sleep apnea but didn’t think she would tolerate a sleep study. She would wake up in the morning cranky and looked tired. I found that she liked to take naps around 10:00 am after being up for only 3-4 hrs. Her behaviors were definitely worse on days she didn’t take a nap and generally towards the latter part of the week.
After talking with Dr. Beth Malow, director of the sleep lab, she suggested we see one of the pediatric neurologists, Dr. Cuevas, who specializes in sleep disorders. He took a thorough history and it was clear that we needed to do the study. We were given a handout on how to practice at home with stickers for the electrodes and string for the wires. My daughter and I talked in great length how this would be something fun by going to bed with the stickers and strings which she did.
The Vanderbilt Sleep Clinic is the entire fifth floor of the Marriott Hotel. The room looked like any nice hotel room with a television and books to keep my daughter occupied until it was time to get her ready to go to bed. I was so proud of her that she was able to tolerate all of the electrodes and wires being placed while she was awake. I was able to stay in the room on a bed next to hers throughout the study. We were awakened the next morning and able to go home.
I am so glad we did the study as we learned some valuable information that only a sleep study could tell us. My daughter had her tonsils and adenoids removed 11 days ago and she seems to be sleeping better already.
The Nessler family
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Children may have sleep problems for a variety of reasons. It is important to seek help for these problems because they can affect your child getting rest at night and functioning well the next day.
Sleep may be disrupted by obstructive sleep apnea, in which the airway muscles relax and close off during sleep, leading to children repeatedly awakening from sleep to breathe again. In addition to restless sleep, the repeated awakenings can cause sleepiness or hyperactivity during the day. Children who are overweight or who have enlarged tonsils or a mom or dad who snores loudly may be more likely to have sleep apnea, which is usually treated with removal of the tonsils and adenoids.
Children may also have insomnia, which is difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. This can be due to emotional stress or irregularities in the child’s biological rhythm, and is often treatable with behavioral techniques such as limiting stimulating activities before bedtime, getting sufficient exercise, and establishing a regular bedtime routine. Sleepwalking, night terrors, or epileptic seizures can also occur from sleep. All of these sleep problems are treatable. The first step is an evaluation with a sleep specialist to pinpoint the cause.
Beth Malow, M.D.,M.S.
Vanderbilt University |
Beth Malow, M.D., M.S.
Associate Professor, Department of Neurology
Medical Director, Vanderbilt Sleep Disorders Center
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
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Pediatric Sleep Disorders Program
The Pediatric Sleep Disorders Program is a multidisciplinary program that draws upon the strengths of neurology, pulmonary medicine, and otolaryngology. Several physicians evaluate and treat sleep disorders within this program.
Dr. Ramon Cuevas (Child Neurology) has expertise in the neurological aspects of sleep disorders, including daytime sleepiness and unusual events during sleep, and has a special interest in seeing children with neurological problems including seizures and developmental disabilities. He also evaluates children for sleep disordered breathing and insomnia
Dr. Mohammad Fazili (Pediatric Pulmonary) has expertise in treating sleep in children with heart disease or pulmonary disease, including asthma and cystic fibrosis. He also evaluates children for sleep disordered breathing and insomnia
Dr. Beth Malow (Neurology), the medical director of the Vanderbilt Sleep Disorders Center, has expertise in evaluating sleep problems in children with autism spectrum disorders and also conducts clinical research in this area.
Dr. Kim Hutchison, Dr. Kanika Bagai, and Michelle Zimmerman (nurse practitioner) are neurology sleep specialists who evaluate both children and adults.
In addition, several pediatric otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat specialists), evaluate and surgically treat patients with sleep disordered breathing. These include Drs. Jay Werkhaven, Shelagh Cofer, Steven Goudy, and nurse practitioner Kenneth Watford.
Office visits for these physicians can be arranged by calling the sleep center at 615-343-5888.
After evaluation in the sleep clinic, a child may be referred for a sleep study to help diagnose a sleep disorder. These sleep studies are done in the Vanderbilt Sleep Disorders Center, a 10-bed facility within the Marriott Hotel (2555 West End Avenue). Children comprise approximately 20-30% of the patients undergoing sleep studies in our Center. This hotel setting provides a child-friendly environment to maximize comfort for children and their parents and to promote sleep. Children younger than one year of age and those with medical problems needing more specialized care undergo sleep studies within Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.
Follow this link to more information about the Sleep Disorders Center
http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/neurology/sleep.htm
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 | 5 Reasons Why High-Need Infants Sleep Differently
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/7/T070900.asp
A physician addresses the issue of why high-need children need more of everything except sleep. He explains five diffferences in these children: temperament, stimulus barrier, transitions, sleep maturity and nighttime needs.
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| Apnea in Premature Babies
http://www.aboutkidshealth.com/Article.asp?articleID=1691
This article on the About Kids Health Website addresses various basic aspects of apnea in premature babies in a clear and concise manner. Topics include, What is apnea, What causes apnea, What is the treatment for apnea, Stimulation, Medications, Respiratory support and Treating other problems. The last section discusses ho long this condition lasts.
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| Baby Centre
http://www.babycentre.co.uk/baby/sleep/
An extensive collection of articles on understanding sleep, helping your baby to sleep and sleep concerns as well as on parents' sleep and co-sleeping are provided. Each section also answers specific posed questions relating to that area. Information provided is medically reviewed.
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| Breathing Problems During Sleep
http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/oct2004/nhlbi-07.htm
This news release discusses how breathing problems during sleep may affect a child's development. Recent research data is cited. A list of resources, with web site addresses, for further information about sleep and sleep research is provided.
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| National Sleep Foundation
http://www.sleepfoundation.org
NSF is dedicated to improving public health and safety by achieving understanding of sleep and sleep disorders. This site contains an entire section on children and sleep, which addresses such areas as when your child snores, bedwetting basics, childhood obesity and sleep and children's sleep habits. Some articles are in Spanish. There is also a section for kids with fun information and games to teach the importance of sleep.
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| Night Terrors
http://www.nightterrors.org/
This site was developed by a person who has spent over 15 years experiencing night terrors. There is extensive background information on night terrors, sleep paralysis and stages of sleep. A list of suggested reading is also provided as well as a link to a chat room on the topic of night terrors.
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| Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Down Syndrome
http://www.ds-health.com
This brief article discusses the symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and the potential risk for children with Down Syndrome. Treatment options are presented. A list of referneces is also given.
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| Sleep Scene
http://www.sleepscene.com
Provides information on 14 different topics related to sleep disorders. Among them are Children and Sleep, Sleep Apnea, Insomnia and Restless Leg Syndrome. A list of links to other potentially useful sites is also provided.
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All Ages
| National Sleep Foundation
http://www.sleepfoundation.org
NSF is dedicated to improving public health and safety by achieving understanding of sleep and sleep disorders. This site contains an entire section on children and sleep, which addresses such areas as when your child snores, bedwetting basics, childhood obesity and sleep and children's sleep habits. Some articles are in Spanish. There is also a section for kids with fun information and games to teach the importance of sleep.
|
| National Sleep Foundation
http://www.sleepfoundation.org
NSF is dedicated to improving public health and safety by achieving understanding of sleep and sleep disorders. This site contains an entire section on children and sleep, which addresses such areas as when your child snores, bedwetting basics, childhood obesity and sleep and children's sleep habits. Some articles are in Spanish. There is also a section for kids with fun information and games to teach the importance of sleep.
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