Sleep Center

Treating childhood sleep disorders

Every child may experience trouble sleeping every now and then. However, a consistent lack of sleep can impact many things. A good night’s sleep is critical to the mental wellness and development of a child.
 
The Pediatric Center for Sleep Medicine, a service of the children's hospitals of Hackensack Meridian Health, is the first in the region offering first-class sleep diagnostics and treatment, to even the smallest patients. Our centers are staffed by board-certified experts in pediatric sleep medicine who can evaluate, diagnose and treat your child’s sleep problems. Pediatric patients are ensured the utmost care, compassion and expertise.

Symptoms of a sleep condition include:

• Daytime sleepiness
• Difficulty breathing while asleep
• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• Frequent night waking
• Irregular sleep patterns
• Irritability
• Snoring or mouth breathing during sleep
• Napping problems
• Noisy breathing
• Reversal of sleep-wake timings (sleeping during the day, awake at night)
• Sleeping until late hours in the morning or afternoon on weekends

Making sure your child gets a healthy night’s sleep is important to us. We evaluate, diagnose and treat a range of pediatric sleep conditions, including:

• Circadian (biological clock) rhythm disorders
• Insomnia
• Limb movement disorder
• Narcolepsy
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Parasomnias (such as sleep terrors, kicking, sleepwalking or nightmares)
• Restless legs syndrome

Behavioral health needs

Many children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up in the morning. Sleep irregularities can be an underlying cause of ADHD. Likewise, ADHD can cause sleep problems. It also has been proven that developmental health conditions are common in children with sleep disorders.

What is a sleep study?

An overnight sleep study can identify reasons that prevent your child from getting a good night’s sleep. A sleep study, or polysomnography, provides information about your child’s sleep patterns, leg movements, blood oxygen levels, heart rhythm, breathing and snoring. Our sleep specialists evaluate this information, and determine if your child has a sleep disorder or a type of neurological or pulmonary condition. We promptly provide your child’s pediatrician with a diagnosis and treatment recommendation.