Pediatric Sleep Disorders

Pediatric Sleep Disorders at Golisano Children's Hospital

Many children and teens suffer from sleep disorders like sleep apnea and insomnia, or other sleep problems like night terrors and sleepwalking.

If your child persistently can’t fall asleep, wakes up early and/or has difficulties staying awake during the day due to excessive sleepiness, the pediatric sleep specialists at Golisano Children's Hospital at University of Vermont Health are here to help.

Offering exceptional family-centered care, our pediatric sleep medicine team is made up of specialists experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of babies, toddlers, school-aged children and adolescents for a wide range of sleep problems.

A pediatric patient hooked up to sleep monitoring equipment looks up at a medical provider.

Why Choose Golisano Children's Hospital?

Accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, our pediatric sleep medicine program offers the highest quality care available to improve your child’s sleep and your family’s general well-being.

We offer:

Specialized pediatric sleep experts: Child-focused sleep medicine is not just a smaller version of adult care. With specialized pediatric training, our dedicated team of sleep medicine physicians and behavioral sleep medicine specialists develops personalized treatments that target the specific needs of children with sleep disorders.
Multidisciplinary pediatric approach: Sleep problems may be connected to other health issues. We may collaborate with pediatric experts in specialty areas such as otolaryngology (ENT), pulmonary medicine, and neurology to accurately identify your child’s sleep problem so that effective treatment or the use of sleep aids can begin as quickly as possible.
Skilled sleep lab team: Our specially trained technicians and registered polysomnographic technologists have extensive experience performing sleep studies on children. Your child’s safety and comfort are their top priority during your family’s stay in the sleep lab.

Symptoms of Pediatric Sleep Disorders

Excessive daytime sleepiness, inability to stay awake, hyperactivity, irritability and depression are just some of the signs that your child may not be getting enough high-quality sleep.

Signs of pediatric sleep disorders may include:

Snoring or gasping (a typical sign of sleep apnea)
Labored or paused breathing
Restless sleep or odd sleeping positions
Failure to thrive (when children don't grow or gain weight as they should)
Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or waking up early
Sleep walking
Night terrors
Daytime sleepiness

Diagnosing Pediatric Sleep Disorders

If basic medical or behavioral interventions aren’t working to improve your child’s sleep, your pediatrician may refer you to our high-volume pediatric sleep medicine program for an expert evaluation. Our pediatric sleep specialists perform a range of diagnostic tests, including:

Initial consultation: Discuss your child’s sleep problems, medical history, home and school environments, and social and family life. This consultation will help us determine if other medical tests, such as blood work, are necessary.
A sleep study: If the cause of your child’s sleep issues remains unclear after your initial consultation. We typically use overnight sleep studies to monitor brain activity, eye movements, muscle tone, heart rate and rhythm, and breathing patterns while your child sleeps. You stay with your child throughout their sleep study.
Home actigraphy monitoring: Measure your child's wake and sleep cycles during a 24-hour period. This noninvasive diagnostic tool involves the use of a wearable, watch-sized device.

Pediatric Sleep Disorders Treatment

Sleep problems in children range from breathing disorders like obstructive sleep apnea and narcolepsy to hypersomnia (feeling excessively tired even after sleeping for a long period of time).

Depending on your child’s diagnosis, treatment may include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Pediatric Sleep Disorders

Cognitive behavioral therapy can help your child change certain behaviors, such as refusal to go to sleep, and manage anxiety through self-soothing and relaxation techniques. Therapy can also help you and your child implement good sleep hygiene practices, including a consistent bedtime routine and limits on screen time prior to sleep.

Surgery for Pediatric Sleep Disorders

Sleep problems can be caused by other health issues, including sleep apnea. In some cases, your child may have enlarged tonsils or adenoids that are obstructing their airway, making it difficult for them to breathe at night. Your doctor may recommend removing the tonsils (tonsillectomy) and/or the adenoids (adenoidectomy) to improve your child's breathing.

Medications for Pediatric Sleep Disorders

Medications can be used to help your child fall asleep, stay asleep or stay awake. Your doctor may recommend medication to address underlying mental health conditions that are causing sleep problems, such as anxiety or depression, or neurological issues such as narcolepsy.

Golisano Children's Hospital

Child Life Program

Medical care can be overwhelming for children. Our Child Life Specialists help your child cope with stress, prepare for procedures and understand their care. These highly trained specialists offer your family support as you navigate our health system.