Our Sleep Care Center can also treat children ages 5 and older, although any child under the age of 18 must have a parent accompany them for the nighttime sleep study. Sleeping accommodations are made available to the parent.

How do you know if your child is suffering from a sleep disorder?

Signs & Symptoms

Young children can suffer from a variety of pediatric sleep disorders, including:

• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Insomnia
• Restless leg syndrome

The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that 3% of children aged 2-8 have obstructive sleep apnea. These children may snore with intermittent pauses, gasps, or snorts, stop breathing for brief intervals during sleep, and experience restless sleep, sweating, and recurrent bedwetting.

Improper weight gain may also be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea as these children actually burn extra calories at night trying to breathe.

Another major sign to look for in diagnosing a sleep disorder is hyperactivity. While most adults who go without sleep would be sluggish the following day, many children are hyperactive. Consequently, many children who have a sleep disorder could potentially be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Treatment of the disorder leads to significantly improved school performance and a decrease in hyperactivity.

If you think your child would benefit from a nighttime sleep study, contact our Sleep Care Center at 1 800 SLEEP RX.