The Cystic Fibrosis and Pulmonary Center
Pediatric Sleep Laboratory
A child’s sleep is an important component of a child's health and well-being. The Sleep Laboratory at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital is committed to helping children with a variety of sleep-related problems achieve optimum health.
Some of the main Sleep disorders investigated at the Sleep Laboratory at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital are:
- Obstructive sleep apnea and upper airway resistance syndrome
- Respiratory Rhythm Disorders (Central Sleep Apnea, Infantile Central Apnea, CCHS)
- Narcolepsy and other disorders of excessive sleepiness
- Periodic Limb Movement Disorder
- Breathing disorders secondary to gastroesophageal reflux
- Breathing disorders secondary to neurological disorders
- Circadian rhythm disorders (sleep-wake schedule disorders)
- Insomnia and parasomnias, such as night terrors, sleepwalking disorder, etc. (sleep studies are not usually required for these diagnoses)
As one of only two pediatric sleep labs in the South Florida region, and the only South Florida lab under the guidance of a pediatric pulmonologist with certification in Sleep Medicine, the Sleep Laboratory at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital is dedicated to correctly diagnosing a child’s sleep-related problems. The Sleep Laboratory offers the distinct opportunity to evaluate a child’s sleep disorder using specific pediatric criteria as well as the opportunity for consultations with the extensive pediatric subspecialty staff at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. An extensive network of experienced pediatric clinicians is available and this distinguishes our services from local sleep labs designed primarily for adult patients.
The criteria for determining children's sleep disorders differ from those used to diagnose adults, but like adults, kids are kept overnight for monitoring. Solutions range from simple ones, such as realigning the child's sleep schedule, to procedures such as application of positive airway pressure, or tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy, as well as surgery to repair more complicated anatomic problems. In the great majority of cases, participation in a sleep study is covered by insurance. Once its causes are identified, sleep apnea can be treated and, in many cases, cured.
The Sleep Laboratory professionals are specially trained to provide information to calm the fears of small patient and provide the most comfortable environment to achieve the best diagnostic outcome. Our Sleep Laboratory treats sleep-associated breathing disorders in infants, children and adolescents in a fully equipped two-bed sleep facility. Two sleep rooms include video and infrared monitoring equipment allowing direct patient observation; and soundproof rooms are designed with children in mind, and are fully equipped to perform the most complete array of testing available. The latest computerized equipment is used to gather test data and analyze events. Results are carefully reviewed by an experienced technologist and interpreted by a sleep-board-certified physician, who is available for consultation if needed.
For referral to a physician for your child, please call Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Physician Referral Service toll-free at (866) JDCH-DOC. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
