Pediatric Sleep Clinic

Children often have sleep disorders that can affect sleep at night, daytime behavior, and the well-being of entire families.  Children with complaints related to their sleep or alertness can be seen in a specialized Pediatric Sleep Clinic that meets in the Pediatrics Clinic area also on the first floor of the Taubman Clinic building.  Common concerns brought by families include loud snoring; laborious breathing at night; daytime sleepiness, inattention, or hyperactivity; insomnia; difficulty staying in bed or sleeping alone; bed wetting; and other undesirable nocturnal activity. Examples of common diagnoses include obstructive sleep apnea, limit-setting sleep disorder, sleep-onset association disorder, inadequate sleep hygiene, delayed sleep phase syndrome, sleepwalking, and sleep terrors.

During an appointment at the Pediatric Sleep Clinic, a decision may be made to obtain an overnight sleep study, other tests, or follow-up visits. Children have sleep studies in the Michael S. Aldrich Sleep Disorders Laboratory, where they benefit from a technical staff that has had extensive experience with children.  Parents stay overnight with young children.  When possible, parents are encouraged to schedule through their physician a tour of the Sleep Laboratory, for them and their child, prior to the night of the sleep study. This helps children know what to expect, and can help make sleeping in the Laboratory a fun, positive experience.