Sleep disorders can have a huge impact on your child’s physical and mental health. Poor sleep quality impacts growth, development, memory and learning in your child.
The Pediatric Integrated Sleep Clinic at Loma Linda University Children’s Health helps your child sleep better so they can reach their full potential. We use research-based medical and behavioral treatments that aim to help both your child and the entire family.
“I want to provide quality, family-centered patient care to best meet the needs of the child. That's what our hospital is all about: whole person care. You can't expect them to do it by themselves; sleep is a family approach."
When sleep is interrupted in any way, our normal daytime functions are affected. As adults we understand we’ll be tired the next day. Children, though, are less aware of the negative impacts of poor sleep, even though they’re just as vulnerable. Parents are often unaware of the full impact a sleep disorder can have on a growing mind.
When compared to adults, children with sleep deprivation often present with very different daytime symptoms. Instead of falling asleep, your child may show signs of hyperactivity or aggressive behavior and even present symptoms of ADHD. These behaviors can significantly impact their school performance and their mood at home.
For these reasons, treating sleep disorders in children is critical to having them live healthier and happier lives. At our clinic, we use a combination of medical and behavioral therapies to improve your child’s quality of life. We evaluate and treat a wide range of sleep disorders, from obstructive sleep apnea to autism-related sleep difficulties.
If your child is experiencing trouble sleeping, speak with your pediatrician. They can help you determine if referral to a sleep specialist is the best path for your child.
Compared to adults, obstructive sleep apnea in children usually has different causes but may present in similar ways (snoring, restlessness and arousals). Large tonsils as well as craniofacial abnormalities are common culprits in pediatric cases. Whatever the cause may be, obstructive sleep apnea leads to a collapsed or partially collapsed airway. This common disorder causes your child to lose oxygen, forcing your child to wake up to breathe, interrupting sleep.
Central sleep apnea happens when your child’s brain does not send a signal to the lungs to breathe. While less common than obstructive sleep apnea, this disorder can be just as damaging to a child’s quality of sleep.
Hypoventilation happens when a child can’t breathe out all the carbon dioxide in their lungs. Over time, the carbon dioxide can build up and lead to more serious disorders. Obese children, children with neuromuscular disorders and children with lung disorders are most often affected by this sleep disorder.
We also provide treatment for children with comorbid disorders, including:
Your first appointment at our sleep clinic will focus on gathering info to start the right treatment path. The appointment lasts about 90 minutes and consists of several parts, including:
We’ll also give you some techniques to try at home that may help alleviate issues surrounding your child’s sleep disorder.
The next step in treatment for many patients is a sleep study. The sleep study is an important part of determining the best treatment path for your child.
You and your child will spend the night in the same room at our sleep lab for sleep testing. Our team has the experience to create a kid-friendly environment where your child can be comfortable.
To help us monitor their sleep, we’ll need to attach some wires on their head, chest and limbs. These are completely non-invasive and should be painless. The results of this study help us give your child better treatment options.
Your child can bring whatever they need to feel at home during the study.
Sleep Lab - American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) Accredited
11360 Mountain View Ave
Hartford Building, Suite B
Loma Linda, CA, 92354
From here on out, we’ll pursue the best treatments available for your child’s sleep disorder. Depending on the difficulty, this may include a combination of medical, surgical and behavioral treatments. We’ll collaborate with our other specialists as necessary to give your child the best treatment possible. This multidisciplinary approach helps us achieve the best outcomes for our patients and their families.
Medical treatments are the most commonly employed across all sleep disorders. These can include things like prescription medicines as well as CPAP and BiPAP machines. CPAP and BiPAP are non-invasive therapies that help patients breathe throughout the night using a special mask.
Behavioral therapy helps your child alter existing poor sleep habits and develop new beneficial habits. This can be a powerful tool in restoring a normal sleep cycle. Our pediatric psychology team will help your child learn and utilize certain techniques to fall asleep and stay asleep. These include learning how to get your child to fall asleep (and stay asleep) by themselves — and use treatments like the CPAP mask throughout the night.
Some sleep disorders are caused by physical abnormalities that can be corrected through surgery. If treating your child’s disorder requires surgical intervention, we’ll consult with our craniofacial team, which includes ENT and maxillofacial surgeons. This team consists of some of the best pediatric surgeons and physicians in the region with decades of experience.
Don’t let your child’s sleep disorder become a serious developmental issue. Ask your pediatrician how the Pediatric Integrated Sleep Clinic can help your child live a healthier life.
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