Listen: Podcast interview with Brandon Larsen's mother, Tammy (.mp3/2:11)

 Listen: What You Should Know About Your Child's Sleep Disorder by Mohannad Mannaa, M.D. (.mp3/10:03)

At our pediatric sleep disorders center, we evaluate and treat the following pediatric sleep disorders:

• sleep apnea
• hypoventilation syndrome (HVS)
• seizure disorders
• narcolepsy
• insomnia
• restless leg syndrome
• inadequate sleep hygiene

Our sleep disorder treatments and procedures include:

• Diagnostic sleep study polysomnogram (PSG) / PSG with full night continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP), and ventilatory titration
• PSG with full seizure EEG
• Multiple sleep latency test (MSLT)
• Pre- and post-sleep study consultations with a sleep medicine fellowship-trained specialist (contact your insurance provider to verify your coverage to see a specialist)
• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) set up
• Follow-up program for patients using CPAP or BiPAP
• CPAP clinic for CPAP/BiPAP patients with questions or problems (this service is offered free of charge)

Our Memorial Hospital for Children Pediatric Sleep Disorders Center is nationally accredited by the American Association of Sleep Medicine and staffed by board-certified/board-eligible sleep medicine specialists and certified respiratory technicians and/or registered polysomnographers.

» More about: American Association of Sleep Medicine

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Signs and Symptoms of Pediatric Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is one of the most common disorders we evaluate and treat. Signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Snoring and breathing difficulty during sleep, especially when associated with bedwetting beyond age three; poor school performance; attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); and/or a slow rate of growth/failure to thrive
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• More labored breathing (heavier, more difficult breathing)
• Unusual sleep positions (e.g. hyperextended neck)
• Cognitive and behavioral problems (e.g. aggressive behavior)
• Morning headaches

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The Sleep Study

Sleep studies require an overnight stay at the sleep center and are considered an out-patient visit by your insurance provider. After checking in, you’ll go to your private room. The room features a private bath, normal bed and cable TV. It looks more like a hotel room than a hospital room. Of course you are welcome to stay with your child.

Once you are settled in, a technician will more fully explain the procedure while preparing your child for the test. Electrodes are attached for data collection. The wires are long enough to allow your child to move around and turn over in bed. We have plenty of pillows and blankets, but feel free to bring your child’s favorite blanket, pillow or stuffed animal to make it feel more like home. Children may also read or watch TV until their normal bedtime. Your child is monitored throughout the night and you can page your technician at any time if there is anything you need. The study typically ends around 6:30 a.m., but we do not wake your child at a particular time unless you ask us to.

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Test Results

A final report is ready in 7 to 10 days. We fax a copy to the referring physician and mail one to you. We encourage you to schedule a follow-up appointment with your doctor to discuss the findings of the sleep study. If treatment is indicated, those options should be discussed at that time as well.

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Our Location

The Memorial Pediatric Sleep Disorders Center is located at 2502 E. Pikes Peak Avenue, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80909.