Treatment options for pediatric sleep disorders

Treating a pediatric sleep disorder depends largely on the type of sleep problem the child is experiencing. We treat:

Circadian rhythm disorder – Children who have difficulty maintaining regular sleep patterns may benefit from behavioral modifications, such as not staying in bed during daytime hours and keeping to a regular schedule of activities and mealtimes.
Narcolepsy – Excessive sleepiness may need to be treated medically.
Obstructive sleep apnea – OSA may be treated by losing weight, using nasal sprays and changing sleep positions. In more severe cases, a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine may be necessary.
Parasomnias – Household safety measures, such as moving furniture and blocking staircases, are often necessary to ensure sleepwalkers don’t trip and fall.

Treatment for obstructive sleep apnea in children

There are several different methods for treating children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but which one is most appropriate will often depend on the severity of the condition. Our sleep experts will review each patient’s sleep study results, medical history and upper airway structure before making a treatment recommendation.

The goal of care in most cases is to prevent obstructions from occurring by widening the airway. Our center accomplishes this though:

Weight loss – For overweight people with mild cases of OSA, diets and exercise may help alleviate symptoms.
Surgical referral – Surgical procedures, such as a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy may be helpful for many children.
Continuous positive airway pressure – CPAP, which is the most effective way to treat OSA, uses pressurized air to keep the airway open. This type of therapy requires the patient to sleep with a mask or tubing under the nose connected to an electrical machine that pressurizes the air in the room.
Bilevel PAP – While CPAP delivers air under constant pressure, Bilevel PAP provides air with varying pressure levels during inhalation and exhalation, improving comfort and tolerance. This is the preferred initial treatment for some patients.

Pediatric sleep disorders

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