Why Choose the Sleep Center

Sleep center accreditation

The Pediatric Sleep Center at St. Louis Children's Hospital is an accredited sleep disorder center, as designated by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. This designation means the center meets the highest standards for comprehensive sleep care for children and adolescents.

Coordination for issues related to sleep

Often, sleep problems in kids have their roots in other illnesses or conditions. Or, sometimes sleep issues can be more behavioral than physical. Our team of consulting physicians covers the variety of issues that can be related to your child’s sleep problems:

• Allergy and pulmonary medicine, including monitoring your child’s ventilator support needs for chronic respiratory failure

• Genetics

• Neurology, including for narcolepsy

• Otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat), for issues related to obstructive sleep apnea

• Psychology, for behavioral sleep issues

• Plastic surgery, including for issues related to obstructive sleep apnea such as cleft palate

Sleep studies designed for kids

When your child needs a sleep study (also known as a polysomnogram), our team helps make your child as comfortable as possible. The Sleep Center professionals are specially trained to:  

• Calm the fears of nervous young patients

• Provide quality, kid-focused care

• Help children relax and go to sleep

State-of-the-art sleep lab

Our four sleep rooms include:

• Video and infrared monitoring to allow direct patient observation

• The latest computerized equipment to perform the most complete array of testing available

• Next door access to the inpatient medical unit, staffed with physicians and nurses 24 hours per day, should any emergencies arise during testing

• Sound-proof walls in a natural and home-like atmosphere

Treatment options that address sleep study findings

Whatever the findings from your child’s sleep study, our team will work with you to find a treatment for your child. Treatment options focus on addressing the root cause of the sleep disturbances, such as using BiPAP (bilevel positive airway pressure) or CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) to address obstructive sleep apnea.

CPAP support

A CPAP machine delivers a continuous flow of air into a mask placed over the nose. To effectively address sleep apnea, a CPAP machine must be used regularly. This can be tough for young or developmentally delayed children who might not understand why they need to use CPAP.

To help you and your child better adjust to regular CPAP use, our team:

• Introduces and monitors CPAP use during an overnight stay in the hospital.

• Meets with you and your child to provide age-appropriate education as the CPAP machine and supplies are introduced.

• Helps determine the correct size mask. The CPAP is adjusted until it is effective and comfortable for your child.

• Provides a calm, quiet, reassuring atmosphere while monitoring your child’s status throughout the night.