Tests, treatments, and services

The first step is for you and your child to come to our sleep clinic and have an evaluation with one of our providers. Our sleep specialists conduct a comprehensive evaluation in which a sleep specialist will talk with you and your child about his or her sleep problems.

Pre-appointment questionnaire

To make your appointment go more smoothly, you may complete the following Sleep Questionnaire and bring it to your appointment.

In some cases, Children's sleep professionals will recommend your child participate in an overnight sleep study in one of our two sleep laboratories. Our staff will monitor a variety of functions during sleep including sleep state, eye movement, muscle activity, heart rate, respiratory effort, airflow, and blood oxygen levels. This test is used both to diagnose several types of sleep disorders. Sometimes treatment can be started during the first night in the sleep lab.

There are a total of eight rooms available for sleep studies. Four rooms are available at our main hospital campus, and four rooms are available at our New Berlin location.

Both sleep laboratories have the capacity to perform different types of sleep studies, including:

• Diagnostic studies
• Bi-level positive airway pressure
• Ventilator management
• Multiple sleep latency studies

All children, even those with complex medical needs, can be monitored and safely cared for in our sleep labs. Sleep tests give your sleep specialist important information about your child's health. To help families and children feel more comfortable, we offer space for one parent/guardian to stay overnight with the child during the sleep study.

Continuous positive airway pressure device (CPAP)

A treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is a continuous positive airway pressure device. The CPAP is a special mask your child wears while sleeping to keep his or her airway open.

Bi-level ventilation support

Bi-Level therapy is a type of breathing support that involves the use of a mask and airway pressure device that delivers pressure to support both inhalation and exhalation. The device allows for normally breathing to occur and for a normal flow of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Surgery

Children with obstructive sleep apnea are sometimes treated with upper airway surgery to remove tissue in the airways. This includes the removal of tonsils and/or adenoids. In general, this approach is most helpful for mild disease or heavy snoring. These children would be referred to an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat doctor) who would actually perform the surgery.

Your provider will work with you to determine the best treatment for your child. In some severe sleep disorders, medications may be used as a treatment option with close medical supervision.

If our sleep specialists determine anxiety and stress to be an underlying cause of a sleep disorder, therapy sessions with a psychologist may be the recommended primary treatment. Your child may need to learn skills to cope better (especially teens, but children as well) with current life issues.

Our specialists work with your family’s primary doctor to coordinate care, manage any complex needs, and ensure the best long-term treatment results.