Sleep disturbances in children are highly common and in severe forms can interfere with daily living and can take a toll on family functioning. Interest in pediatric sleep problems is increasing, requiring continuous research and investigation to detect and treat pediatric sleeping disorders.
Untreated pediatric sleeping disorders may result in significant psychological and cognitive dysfunction which can affect a child’s emotional state, behavior, learning development and overall health.
The mission of the CHOC Pediatric Sleep Study Program is to help patients, from newborns to adolescents, and their families to understand the childs’s sleeping disorder diagnosis and to recommend and provide specialized treatment and close follow up care. The patient’s family is valued as a central part of the care team and they are consulted every step of the way.
The Sleep Study Program’s commonly diagnosed and treated conditions are listed below:
- Sleep Disordered Breathing
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- Tonsillar Hypertrophy
- Obesity
- Pierre Robin Syndrome
- Central Sleep Apnea
- Chronic Lung Disease
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Ventilator Use (BPAP or CPAP)
- Home Ventilator Use
- Tracheostomy Decannulation
- Central Alveolar Hypoventilation
- Craniofacial Abnormalities
- Prader-Willi Syndrome
- Arnold Chiari Spina Bifida
- Cerebral Palsy
The CHOC Pediatric Sleep Study Program was founded in 1986 and is devoted to evaluating and treating sleep disorders in children. The program is currently managed by pediatric pulmonary specialists, Dr. Bruce Nickerson and Dr. Anchalee Yuengsrigul, who are board certified in pediatric pulmonary and each have over 10 years experience in polysomnograph interpretation.
Bruce Nickerson, M.D., is board certified in pediatrics, pediatric pulmonology and neonatal perinatal medicine. Dr. Nickerson is also a Medical Director of CHOC Pulmonary Medicine, Respiratory Therapy and Blood Gas Laboratory Services and Chief of the CHOC Specialists Division of Pulmonology and an Associate Clinical Professor at UC Irvine. Dr. Nickerson has special expertise in treating cystic fibrosis and providing fiberoptic bronchoscopy.
Anchalee Yuengsrigul, M.D., is board certified in pediatric pulmonology and is an Assistant Professor at UC Irvine. Dr. Yuengsrigul specializes in the treatment of asthma, chronic lung disease, apnea and sleep related respiratory disorders.
The Sleep Study Program currently has the capacity of 3 beds staffed by 5 sleep techs for 11 patients per week, with the average of 500 patients per year and is looking to expand in the near future.
To be seen in the Sleep Study Program, the following required documents must be provided for a potential patient:
- Pediatric Referral
- Medical History
- Physical (including BMI)
- Soft Tissue Neck X-Ray (as appropriate)
- Insurance Approval
Pediatricians may order a sleep study directly, which does not require the aforementioned labs, records or consultation in the pulmonary clinic.
A sleep study session lasts all night and family members are allowed to stay with patients. Patients may bring a few items that help them sleep, such a pillow, a stuffed animal, a blanket, a book, favorite food or beverage.
The Sleep Study Program uses advanced methods and sleep-monitoring technologies to study the child’s breathing and sleeping patterns in the most non-invasive ways possible. Patients may have some or all of the following medical technologies used to help diagnose during the sleep study: EEG, EKG, Oxygen, Respiratory Effort, Nasal Flow and End Tidal Carbon Dioxide.
The sleep laboratory is located in the lowest level of CHOC North Tower. The designation for an inpatient study versus an outpatient study is based on the following:
- A hospital stay at CHOC greater than 24 hours is an inpatient procedure.
- A hospital stay at CHOC less than 24 hours is an outpatient procedure.
For questions about the CHOC Sleep Study Program and Sleep Laboratory please call: (714) 509-8651
For more information about the CHOC Specialists Pulmonology Specialty Division please visit: Pulmonology