Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital

Excessive snoring Labored or interrupted breathing during sleep Frequent kicking or other restless behavior while asleep Frequent bed-wetting over the age of 5 Daytime hyperactivity or attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Excessive sleeping or drowsiness during the day "Sleep disorders are quite common in children," Hopkins says. "However, there is definitely help available. ere's often a simple solution to the problem, but it's a matter of getting the child in to see the right specialist." A FOCUSED FACILITY If a child's pediatrician suspects a possible sleep disorder, the next step toward a diagnosis and treatment plan is often a sleep study called a polysomnogram, which is conducted overnight at a sleep center. While the patient sleeps, sensors record brain waves, breathing, heart rate, blood oxygen level, and eye and leg movements. ese measurements are used to diagnose sleep disorders. However, not all sleep centers are the same in terms of what they can provide and how they operate. e comprehensive sleep center at John Hopkins All Children's offers clinical and laboratory services specifically for children. Having a pediatric focus means that the Sleep Center has the right people, the best equipment and a patient-centered environment. Specifically, we offer: Trained specialists. Working with children every day means our technologists and staff are comfortable working with and comforting children throughout the entire process. Proper equipment. is includes child-sized equipment—such as CPAP face masks—used during the sleep study. More impor- tantly, child sleep testing requires a carbon dioxide monitoring system, an expensive machine that may not be used in laborato- ries treating primarily adults. Kid-friendly testing rooms. Each family has its own room complete with a bed for the child, a private bathroom, a tele- vision and a pullout bed for the parent. "What makes our approach unique is the fact that everything we do is tailored for the needs of children," Hopkins says. "Nonspecialized sleep centers may offer testing for children, but they can't always offer equipment optimized for a child or the expertise to recommend a pediatric treatment plan." MAKING SLEEP STUDIES KID-FRIENDLY The idea of sleeping while attached to numerous sensors or breathing through a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask can seem overwhelming to a child. Knowing what to expect can be critical to allowing the child to relax and sleep, so sleep technologists can gather enough information for our doctors to make a diagnosis. "We help parents and children become comfortable with the testing process," says Bobbi Hopkins, M.D., medical director for the Sleep Center at John Hopkins All Children's. "For children who need help tolerating a CPAP mask or machine, we oer a special clinic staed by a sleep physician and sleep technologists/ educators. During this visit, we show patients the equipment and teach them how to tolerate having a CPAP mask on their face. We also oer desensitization appointments for children with anxiety or autism who need to become familiar with the testing environment and equipment before participating in their study." To see a video created to help parents and children understand what happens during a sleep study, visit hopkinsallchildrens.org/ services/sleep-studies/sleep-lab-study. In addition to offering testing services, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital Sleep Center has comprehensive sleep clinics and CPAP clinics dedicated to improving sleep and maximizing daytime functioning for children. —BOBBI HOPKINS, M.D., MEDICAL DIRECTOR FOR THE SLEEP CENTER AT JOHN HOPKINS ALL CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL " " Fall 2016 13 Sleep Center

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