Getting Enough Sleep is Vital to Children
Without proper rest, children can't function well in school. They may not eat enough or grow properly. They may be irritable or excessively sleepy during the day. As many as one out of three elementary school children may suffer from sleep problems at some time in their lives. Many go undiagnosed.

To help children get a good night's rest, Greenwich Hospital has developed a specialized program to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders in children.

Our Staff
The Sleep Laboratory at Greenwich Hospital is directed by Stuart W. McCalley, MD. He is joined by Saul Rothenberg, PhD, a licensed psychologist and sleep specialist who evaluates children and adolescents with a variety of sleep complaints, including insomnia. Hossein Sadeghi, MD, a pediatric pulmonologist, is available to evaluate sleep-related breathing disorders in children. The staff also includes professional sleep technologists, who monitor the state-of-the-art equipment that is used to diagnose sleep disorders.

Because the Sleep Laboratory is at Greenwich Hospital, children can also benefit from the hospital's many services and pediatric specialists - an important advantage since diagnosing and treating sleep problems often requires a team effort.

Common Sleep Disorders

Sleep apnea
A serious disorder, sleep apnea affects both children and adults. Children with sleep apnea stop breathing for short periods during sleep. They may snore loudly, experience restless sleep and be sleepy during the day. Contributing factors may include enlarged adenoids or tonsils, allergies, weight problems and other medical conditions. Sleep apnea is treatable but is usually best diagnosed in a sleep laboratory.

Narcolepsy
Symptoms of narcolepsy include excessive sleepiness during the day and uncontrollable "sleep attacks." This can happen even when a child gets enough sleep. Narcolepsy may occur as early as age 10, but is most common during the teenage years.

Sleep terrors/sleep walking
Most common in children age four to eight, these disturbances occur during the early part of the night. The child is stuck halfway between being awake and asleep and often has no memory of the event the next day.

Nightmares
These often occur at times of transition, stress or change in a child's routine. Nightmares usually occur later in the night and can be remembered the next day.

Signs of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children

• Difficult or noisy breathing when asleep
• Observed pauses in breathing (apnea) during sleep
• Gasping when asleep
• Snoring
• Restless sleep accompanied by unusual sleep positions
• Difficulty swallowing and poor appetite
• Poor school performance
• Behavioral problems (can mimic attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Pathologic shyness or social withdrawal
• Severe forms may be associated with failure to thrive, developmental delays and other serious consequences.

Solving Sleep Problems
Any child experiencing sleep difficulties should first be seen by a pediatrician. If the sleep problem cannot be readily treated, the child may be referred to a sleep psychologist, pulmonologist (lung specialist) or otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist), who may in turn refer the family to Greenwich Hospital's Sleep Laboratory.

To diagnose a sleep disorder, your child will be monitored overnight in one of the Sleep Lab's private rooms. We encourage a parent to remain with the child during this evaluation period. Sleeping accommodations are available for the parent. Our staff makes every effort to maintain the child's normal sleep schedule. Bringing a favorite toy or blanket can make the experience feel more like home.

Your child will be connected to devices that monitor heart rhythm, brain waves and muscle activity, eye movement, oxygen levels and breathing. A camera allows technologists to view the child from an adjacent room throughout the night. In the morning, as soon as the test is complete, the child may leave.

All data is collected by a computerized polysomnograph. It is analyzed and sent to the child's pediatrician, with recommendations for treatment and follow-up.

The Sleep Laboratory is dedicated to finding a solution to a child's sleep troubles. The length of time it takes to solve sleep problems varies with each child and with the type of problem presented.

Appointments
For appointments or more information, call the Greenwich Hospital Sleep Laboratory. (203) 863-3167.